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SALT LAKE CITY — Mark Harlan's emotional comments following Utah's 22-21 loss to BYU came with a hefty price tag.
The Utah athletic director, who has been at the helm for six years with the Utes, received a $40,000 fine from the Big 12 Sunday and a "public reprimand," the league announced. The conference said Harlan violated its "sportsmanship policies" for his comments directed toward game officials.
Harlan was told, the conference said, that a repeat offense will carry "a more serious penalty."
"Mark's comments irresponsibly challenged the professionalism of our officials and the integrity of the Big 12 Conference," Commissioner Brett Yormark said in a statement. "There is a right way and a wrong way to voice concerns. Unfortunately, Mark chose the wrong way. Accordingly, this violation warrants a public reprimand and financial penalty. The Big 12 Conference prioritizes professionalism, integrity, and fairness, and will continue to do so."
The league said it will not answer any further questions about the incident.
Sunday night, Harlan said his comments came after visiting the team locker room where the players were "hurting and upset."
"Last night following our game against BYU, I made clear my feelings related to the game officiating," Harlan said in a statement. "However, I recognize that there are more appropriate times and avenues to express those concerns, and I accept the consequences of my decision."
He added that the university is "proud to be a member of the Big 12 Conference and we look forward to working with our peers to continue to enhance the league."
Shortly after the conclusion of Saturday night's rivalry game, Harlan entered the media room and delivered unprompted remarks before the attending media. Harlan said Utah had its win taken away from them following two late-game points of contention with the officials.
"I've been an athletic director for 12 years," Harlan said. "This game was absolutely stolen from us. We were excited about being in the Big 12, but tonight I am not. We won this game. Someone else stole it from us. Very disappointed. I will talk to the commissioner. This was not fair to our team. I'm disgusted by the professionalism of the officiating crew tonight."
Harlan was seen earlier on the TV broadcast approaching an official on the field, directing comments at him while he wagged his finger in her direction before offensive line coach Jim Harding pulled Harlan away.
The fine, according to ESPN's Pete Thamel, is the highest fine dished out in the last decade. Thamel said three athletic directors — Iowa State's Jamie Pollard (2014), Texas Tech's Kirby Hocutt (2019) and Baylor's Mack Rhoades (2023-24 basketball season) — received a $25,000 fine for their comments.
For context: The Big 12 fine is considered stiff, as the two athletic director fines of note in the last decade were $25,000 -- ISU's Jamie Pollard in 2014 and Baylor's Mack Rhoades during the last basketball season. https://t.co/63iFZ2ufP9
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) November 10, 2024
