Colleagues react to Majerus news

Utah football coach Urban Meyer was surprised by Wednesday's announcement concerning Rick Majerus.

"My initial reaction is I'm shocked," said Meyer, who planned to call Majerus and see how he's doing.

Meyer spoke with Majerus a couple of times during the football season. The coaches developed a friendship highlighted by a two-hour conversation over dinner following Utah's 47-35 loss at home to New Mexico in October.

Majerus initiated the meeting — telling Meyer he wanted to support him through tough times as well as the good.

"It was one of the best talks I've ever had with a coach," recalled Meyer, who noted that the Utes bounced back the next week to defeat Air Force in triple overtime.

Always eager to learn from successful coaches, Meyer, a self-described college basketball junkie, has plenty of respect for Majerus.

"Obviously he's a proven winner," Meyer said. "Year in and year out."

A sampling of other reactions to Majerus' health problems and resignation:

ANDRE MILLER, former Ute star and current Denver Nuggets point guard: "I'm going to give him a call and see how he's doing. You never want to think about anything bad happening. You just want to pray for him. Hopefully, he can stay in good health. But it's something that he's had to deal with a long time. . . It's (basketball) his life. He's always going to be connected to basketball. Even if he did retire and take time off, it's for a good reason."

KEITH VAN HORN, former Ute star and current New York Knicks forward: "Wow. I talked to him about three weeks ago. I didn't know that he was having problems. I know he has in the past. I'm sure he'll stay around the game in some fashion."

CRAIG THOMPSON, Mountain West Conference commissioner: "First and foremost, our thoughts and wishes are with Rick to make a speedy and healthy recovery. Rick has been a tremendous asset to Mountain West Conference men's basketball and we wish him the best in whatever the future holds."

JOE CRAVENS, Weber State head coach and a former Majerus assistant: "I hope he's OK. I hope it's not a life-threatening situation. . . I think we all saw it coming, but hoped it wouldn't."