Majerus Says He’s Finished at Utah

Rick Majerus said Tuesday he would not coach Utah again this season, ending his 15-year association with the school he brought to national prominence.

“No. I won’t come back this year, and I won’t coach next year for sure,” Majerus told ESPN.

He also ruled out coaching Utah at any point.

“They need to hire a coach,” Majerus said. “I’ve divorced myself from this.”

Apparently, the decision was not Majerus’ alone.

“His doctor told him that under no circumstances was he coming back this year,” Majerus’ attorney, Bob Henderson, told Associated Press.

Majerus left the team Jan. 28 because of heart problems, and assistant coach Kerry Rupp has led Utah (18-5) to a 3-0 mark.

“We’re going to leave everything the way it is,” Athletic Director Chris Hill said. “We’ve won three in a row, and we don’t want to interfere with that success.”

Majerus came to Utah in 1989. In the 1990s, Utah ranked eighth among NCAA Division I programs in wins, 250, and winning percentage, .767. The team has made 10 trips to the NCAA tournament, including advancing to the 1998 NCAA Final Four, losing to Kentucky in the national championship game.

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Indiana forward Pat Ewing Jr. will not play against Penn State today for academic reasons.

Ewing, a freshman and the son of former NBA star Patrick Ewing, is averaging 2.8 points and 3.3 rebounds in 20 games this season for Indiana (11-9, 5-4 Big Ten). He has started six games.

Indiana Coach Mike Davis issued a statement saying that Ewing would be missed, but that academics take precedence.