Procedure Clears Majerus’ Arteries

Utah basketball Coach Rick Majerus, who has been away from his team since November because of knee surgery, rested comfortably here Tuesday night after undergoing a 4 1/2-hour procedure to clear two blocked arteries at LDS Hospital.

No immediate timetable was set for Majerus’ return to the team.

“He went through this procedure, it went well, and for us to [say] much more than that would be inappropriate right now,” Utah Athletic Director Chris Hill said. “It’s a chance to let Rick rest and see what happened, to talk to his physician and go from there.”

The 52-year-old coach was conscious during the procedure, a coronary angiography, which opened two arterial branches with implanted tubes called stents.

Majerus has a history of heart problems and was admitted to the hospital Monday after complaining of chest pains. He missed the 1989-90 season, his first at Utah, after septuple-bypass surgery.

Asked if the latest medical problems could jeopardize Majerus’ career, Hill said: “You’re asking me hypotheticals upon hypotheticals upon hypotheticals. I’m not going to do that. I don’t think that’s fair to anybody.”

Majerus has been away from coaching for six weeks while recovering from arthroscopic surgery on his right knee. He had planned to return to practices Monday and coach tonight’s game against Long Beach State.

Assistant Dick Hunsaker has served as acting coach for the last 12 games and will continue in that capacity, at least until more is known about Majerus’ health.

“[Today’s] a game. We go on. We lace them up and we play,” Hill said.

Neither Hunsaker nor the players were available for comment Tuesday.

“We felt it would be unfair to submit players and coaches to talk about coach’s health,” Hill said.

Majerus left the team after a season-opening victory over Idaho State. Hill, however, was cautious when asked how much Majerus’ absence has contributed to the team’s struggles.

“I don’t want to put any more burden on the coaches who have taken over because that’s really hard,” Hill said.