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.