Majerus era ends

After 15 years of unparalleled success — along with a few bits of controversy — the Rick Majerus Era at the University of Utah came to a surprising end Wednesday with the announcement that Majerus was leaving his position as Utah basketball coach.

Majerus didn't make the announcement personally; rather it came in a press release from the university, which stated he is leaving because of health problems. Utah athletic director Chris Hill left the door open for Majerus to return before the end of the season but said he would definitely not coach at Utah after the end of this season.

The 55-year-old Wisconsin native, who has won 323 games in 15 seasons at Utah, had coached the Utes to a 15-5 record this year, but his team lost its last two games, at New Mexico Saturday and at Air Force Monday night.

Majerus returned to Salt Lake City from Colorado Tuesday afternoon but left to see his cardiologist in Santa Barbara Tuesday night after suffering chest pains during dinner. Hill received a call at 12:30 a.m. Wednesday from a friend of Majerus' informing him of the decision.

Third-year Ute assistant Kerry Rupp, who coached Utah to a 79-75 victory over BYU last season when Majerus was gone, will take over as interim coach, most likely for the rest of the season. His first game Saturday will come against BYU at the Huntsman Center.

Deseret News graphic The Majerus file Requires Adobe Acrobat.

"Rick's health is our main concern," said Hill, who hired Majerus in April 1989. "Rick's done a wonderful job as our basketball coach for the past 15 years. He's left a heck of a legacy."

Majerus has compiled a 323-95 record in 15 seasons with 10 trips to the NCAA Tournament, topped by a trip to the 1998 NCAA Championship Game, where the Utes lost to Kentucky 78-69.

In the past 13 years, Utah has won or shared 10 conference titles, more than any other team in the country.

This has been a more stressful season for Majerus, who was often frustrated with the youth and inexperience of the team, which features four sophomores and four freshmen in the main rotation. Majerus also had to deal with NCAA sanctions against the university last summer that came from violations in the basketball program and recent allegations from a former player that he discriminated against him because of his handicap.

So what does the future hold for Majerus?

Perhaps a television job is waiting once his health improves. Last spring, Majerus' name came up in connection with a job at ESPN-TV, and just last week he said, "Hopefully, one day I'll work for them."

Majerus has also said many times over the years that he'd like to finish his career at a smaller school such as St. Mary's College in California.