Time for Majerus to go
Fans will forgive a lot so long as their team wins. And the U. men's basketball program has done that with Majerus at its helm the past 15 years. His teams at the U. have a chalked up a cumulative record of 323-95. The U. has made 10 appearances in the NCAA Tournament, with the 1998 team losing the national championship game to the University of Kentucky. The Majerus-led Utes have advanced to the NCAA Sweet 16 four times and made consecutive Elite Eight appearances in 1997 and 1998. His teams have claimed 10 regular season conference titles, while he has won five national Coach of the Year Awards.
As much as Utahns like a winner, the community's collective patience with Majerus has worn thin over the past few years. Even understanding his all-consuming passion for the game of basketball, he is a representative of the university. On occasion, his conduct has been downright boorish — knocking over drink containers in fits of anger, making obscene gestures to fans of opposing teams, swearing at players and, on occasion, making religious insults.
In recent weeks, disturbing allegations have come to light that Majerus berated a former player about his hearing impairment. These claims were very disturbing. It should be noted, though, that the coach was cleared in a university investigation.
Many other players have left the program quietly over the years — on average, three a season since Majerus came to Utah in 1989. Slightly more than one-third of Majerus' 69 recruits made it to their senior seasons. Only 13 players played for four seasons, according to a Desert Morning News report published in May 2002.
They left for myriad reasons. Some wanted more playing time. Others were injured. Some scholarships weren't renewed because of poor grades or lackluster play. Majerus said the the majority of the transfers came down to a joint decision between himself and the player.
Still, other players have left the program without fully explaining the circumstances, but a good many have indicated that the experience left a bad taste in their mouths.
On top of that, NCAA violations were announced last spring that suggested a lack of institutional control by the university's athletics department over some athletic programs, primarily the men's basketball program.
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