The head of Utah’s athletic department regrets how he handled the Utes’ loss to BYU this past season.
On a brisk November 9th during the football game, as the LED-lit fourth quarter clock hit zero and the final whistle signaled the end of the 2024 BYU-Utah rivalry matchup, there was still one unresolved issue: a yellow flag lying near the sideline.
The call? Unsportsmanlike conduct. The instigator? The head of Utah’s athletic department.
Mark Harlan, the athletic director, had charged onto the field—not to celebrate but to finish his trek from the press box to the playing field.
A penalty against the Crimson defense had unexpectedly given BYU a boost on what appeared to be a doomed drive, igniting debate among spectators. Many in Utah felt the game was unfairly officiated in favor of their rivals at Rice-Eccles Stadium. However, various fan-captured angles later validated the officials’ decision.
Despite this clarity, the frustration on Utah’s sideline that night could not be soothed by the clarity of hindsight.
Fuming with enough anger to unabashedly wag his finger and deliver an impassioned rant from the media podium, Harlan strongly expressed his outrage over the outcome of the game, blaming unprofessional officiating and his clear displeasure with the Utes’ new Big 12 affiliation for the 22-21 final score.
“This game was outright stolen from us,” Harlan proclaimed to the awaiting reporters. “We were looking forward to being in the Big 12, but after tonight, I’m not. We won this game. Someone else took it from us. I’m incredibly disappointed. I will be speaking with Commissioner (Brett Yormark). This was unfair to our team. I’m disgusted by the level of professionalism from the officiating crew tonight.”
After a $40,000 fine and five years of reflection, Harlan finally opened up in an interview with Deseret News.
“What some may say in a high-pressure moment should not define a legacy…”
“I felt that this took away from their hard-earned victory and the accomplishments of those student-athletes in that program,” Harlan stated. “To bring the Big 12 into the conversation and undermine our involvement in it was, in my opinion, inappropriate. […] I want to make it clear that we take pride in Utah’s participation in the Big 12, and we are truly honored to be competing.”
Harlan’s apology is reminiscent of running back Jaylon Glover’s public retraction of a poorly worded comment made to the media. Just as it’s understood that what people say in high-pressure situations shouldn’t define their reputation, Harlan’s apology aims to bridge the divide between the rivals in the Holy War.
“You learn and grow, as I encourage our student-athletes and staff to do in these moments. I wasn’t the best example of that, but I believe I’ve learned from this experience and I look forward to continuing this great rivalry in a positive way.”
Although the first Big 12 edition of the Holy War showcased remarkable on-field action, it was marred by a moment of poor judgment.
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