A rolling mill coil handling system includes a downender for rotating a coil between a vertical position supported on a pallet, and a horizontal position suspended from a hollow stem projecting from the pallet. A hook carrier system includes a C-shaped hook with a horizontally projecting arm. The hook is manipulated by carrier system components to axially insert its arm into the stem, then to raise the arm through a slot in the stem and into contact with the coil, thereby raising the coil to a level at which it is no longer in contact with the stem, and then to axially withdraw the coil from the stem.