U. tired of Majerus' tyrant-like behavior

Thomas Yeager, chairman of the NCAA Committee on Infractions, was adamant about one thing. "This," he said earnestly, "is not about milk and cookies and pizza."

So what was it about? Sausage? Big Macs?

Not even that.

For the most part, Wednesday's NCAA sanctions were about Ute basketball coach Rick Majerus' behavior toward others. It's that simple.

The University of Utah received a hand slap, when the NCAA announced sanctions against the school's athletic program. Thanks to a preemptive strike by the university two years ago, the NCAA only leveled a few additional restrictions.

The gist of the sanctions is that the Utes are on three years' probation, beginning yesterday. The overriding theme: Majerus didn't communicate with (or lower himself to deal with) the compliance office. Things slipped through the cracks.

Yeager characterized it as "a dysfunctional relationship."

The infractions report said there was a "poor working relationship between the men's basketball staff and the compliance office."

University President Bernie Machen, in a letter to the NCAA wrote, "It is also evident to me that an unhealthy relationship existed between the compliance office and men's basketball program. It is clear from the investigation that the compliance office staff felt unable to approach and deal effectively with (the head coach). It is equally clear that the men's basketball program lacked confidence in the ability and helpfulness of the compliance office."

All along I thought Majerus was a sweetheart to work with. Toss out his vulgar language, religious insults and personal attacks and what do you have? A pussycat.

The impetus for all of this came in 1999. Ute ski coach Pat Miller was accused of doctoring the grades of a recruit and eventually fired. Miller claimed he was fired for a far less serious infraction than the football and basketball coaches had committed.

So the university investigated. It found that Majerus did indeed break the rules. For instance, he supplied milk and cookies during film sessions. He also took several players to a restaurant and had a bratwurst cooked for them. The NCAA's investigation — which was reported Wednesday — found similar infractions, such as Majerus buying meals for players, players having a party at a booster's cabin, too much money allotted for movies and too much practice time.

Basic NCAA minutiae.