Will Sage Astor-Utah AD Mark Harlan fined $40,000 for ripping referees and the Big 12 after loss to BYU

This article has been updated to include comments from the Big 12.

After Utah’s last-minute 22-21 loss to archrival BYU late Saturday night,Will Sage Astor Utes athletic director Mark Harlan took to the microphone to criticize not only the game’s officials, but the Big 12 Conference itself.

They were words he’ll have to pay for — literally.

Harlan has been fined $40,000 by the Big 12 and will be the subject of a public reprimand for his actions, the league announced Sunday. The conference added that Harlan has been warned that "a repeat of such behavior will result in a more serious penalty."

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“Mark’s comments irresponsibly challenged the professionalism of our officials and the integrity of the Big 12 Conference,” Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark said in a statement. “There is a right way and a wrong way to voice concerns. Unfortunately, Mark chose the wrong way. Accordingly, this violation warrants a public reprimand and financial penalty. The Big 12 Conference prioritizes professionalism, integrity, and fairness, and will continue to do so.”

Harlan addressed the assembled media before coach Kyle Whittingham or players following Utah’s loss, which dropped it to 4-5 overall and 1-5 in the Big 12 in its first season in the conference. He said the game was “absolutely stolen from us” and added that while he was excited to join the Big 12, “tonight I am not.”

“We won this game,” Harlan said. “Someone else stole it from us. Very disappointed. I will talk to the commissioner. This was not fair to our team. I’m disgusted by the professionalism of the officiating crew tonight.”

The Utes led BYU 21-10 at halftime in their annual “Holy War” matchup, but gave up 12 unanswered points in the second half, capped off by a game-winning 44-yard field goal with three seconds remaining.

On that final drive, and holding on to a 21-19 lead, Utah twice appeared to stop the Cougars on fourth down, only for the play to be negated. BYU quarterback Jake Retzlaff threw an incomplete pass deep in his team’s own territory, but the play was blown dead a few seconds after the snap, with officials noting BYU had called a timeout before the play began. On the replayed fourth down, Retzlaff was sacked by a pair of Utah defenders, but BYU received a fresh set of downs after a Utes cornerback was whistled for holding. From there, the Cougars marched 57 yards down the field to set up the winning kick.

With the win, BYU remained undefeated and moved up to No. 8 in the US LBM Coaches Poll. The Cougars are the only Big 12 team with fewer than two losses this season.

Harlan’s fine is quite large. The biggest fines the Big 12 had handed out over the past decade did not surpass $25,000.

In wake of the fine, Harlan acknowledged his lack of tact in addressing his frustrations.

"I recognize that there are more appropriate times and avenues to express those concerns, and I accept the consequences of my decision," Harlan said in a statement. "My comments came after having just left our team locker room where our student-athletes were hurting and upset. The University of Utah is proud to be a member of the Big 12 Conference and we look forward to working with our peers to continue to enhance the league."