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Majerus to resign after season

 
Published Jan. 29, 2004|Updated Aug. 27, 2005

Utah coach Rick Majerus will resign after the season, and his latest health problem put him in the hospital with chest pains.

Majerus, 55, was treated in Santa Barbara, Calif., on Wednesday. His condition was not released.

Assistant Kerry Rupp will coach the Utes in the interim, though Majerus could return and finish the season.

Majerus is the second coach this week to take a leave because of health reasons. Louisville's Rick Pitino took an indefinite leave Monday to determine the cause of the urological-related pain, but he might return this weekend.

The health of the portly Majerus has always been a concern, especially after he had heart bypass surgery in 1989 _ just six games into his first season at Utah. He has led the Utes to the NCAA Tournament 10 times.

"Everybody that knows Rick and cares about Rick has mentioned that he needs to take care of himself," Utah athletic director Chris Hill said.

Majerus felt chest pains late Tuesday in Salt Lake City. He was flown to southern California for treatment by his cardiologist.

Utah (15-5, 3-2 Mountain West) has lost two in a row, including at Air Force on Monday 62-49. Majerus had one of his youngest teams this season with just two seniors and no juniors.

In Rupp's only game as coach, Utah beat BYU 79-75 last season in Provo after Majerus left to attend the funeral for the stepfather of former Ute Andre Miller.

Majerus came to Utah from Ball State in 1989, and the 1990s saw Utah ranked eighth among NCAA Division I programs in both wins (250) and winning percentage (.767). He is 323-95 at Utah.

Majerus has twice taken extended leaves since he started at Utah. Along with his bypass surgery in December 1989, Majerus coached one game in 2000-01 before leaving for health issues and to care for his mother.

Utah was placed on three years' probation by the NCAA last summer after an investigation confirmed several minor violations, including meals Majerus bought during meetings with players. The NCAA rule has been changed to allow for such meals as long as each one is documented.