Utah AD Mark Harlan Has Had His Highs - and a Few Too Many Unforced Errors
Mark Harlan’s tenure as Utah’s athletic director has been a mixed bag - and right now, the spotlight is back on the parts he’d probably rather forget.
There’s no denying Harlan has overseen some of the most successful moments in the university’s athletic history. When Utah president Taylor Randall extended Harlan’s contract in 2023, it was after a banner year: seven conference championships, five of them in the Pac-12, and a second straight trip to the Rose Bowl. That kind of year doesn’t happen without strong leadership at the top.
At the time, Harlan called winning “contagious,” and said everyone in the program wanted a piece of it. And on the field, Utah was thriving.
But leadership isn’t just about riding the highs. It’s also about how you handle the lows - and lately, Harlan’s had a few that raise eyebrows.
A Social Media Misstep
The latest misstep came just days ago, when Harlan took to social media to mock a high school recruit - a teenager - who had originally committed to Utah but flipped to Michigan after Kyle Whittingham and several Utes coaches took jobs there. The player, Salesi Moa, is a top prospect and made a personal decision during a major life moment.
Harlan’s public jab didn’t land well. After a wave of backlash, the tweet was deleted.
For someone in Harlan’s position - a high-profile administrator at a Power Five school - this kind of public pettiness isn’t just unnecessary, it’s damaging. Recruits change their minds all the time, especially when the coaching staff they committed to suddenly leaves.
That’s part of the business. What’s not part of the business is an athletic director punching down at a teenager navigating a difficult decision.
And the irony? Harlan himself once left South Florida for Utah not long after signing an extension. So he knows how quickly circumstances can change.
The BYU Blowup
Of course, this isn’t the first time Harlan has let his emotions get the better of him.
Utah fans will remember what happened late in the 2024 football season during the Utes’ rivalry game against BYU. After a holding call late in the game - one that was later confirmed as correct - Harlan lost it. He stormed the field, got in officials’ faces, and then held a postgame press conference that can only be described as a meltdown.
“I’ve been an athletic director for 12 years,” he said. “This game was absolutely stolen from us.
We were excited about being in the Big 12, but tonight I am not. We won this game.
Someone else stole it from us. I’m very disappointed.
I will talk to the commissioner. This is not fair to our team.
I am disgusted by the professionalism of the officiating crew tonight.”
That outburst cost him a $40,000 fine from Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark and a reprimand from the league. Harlan later issued a statement acknowledging that he should have chosen a better time and place to express his frustration. But the damage was done - and the moment stuck.
A Rocky Transition to the Big 12
Harlan’s handling of Utah’s move from the Pac-12 to the Big 12 also raised questions. As the Pac-12 crumbled, his public posture was less than enthusiastic about the transition. That tone didn’t help during a period when stability and leadership were sorely needed.
Then there’s the way the Whittingham era came to a close. The longtime head coach, a Utah legend, was nudged toward the exit in a way that felt abrupt and poorly managed.
What followed was a string of departures - players and coaches - that left the football program scrambling. That kind of disruption doesn’t happen in a vacuum.
It’s a reflection of leadership decisions at the top.
The Balancing Act of Leadership
Here’s the reality: Harlan’s not a villain. He’s done plenty of good for Utah athletics, and his resume includes some undeniable wins.
But the role of athletic director requires more than celebrating championships. It demands poise, judgment, and a steady hand - especially in the public eye.
Calling out a recruit on social media, berating officials on national television, and mishandling major transitions - these are the kinds of moments that overshadow the good. And for someone tasked with representing an entire university, they’re not just personal mistakes. They reflect on the whole institution.
Harlan still has time to steady the ship. The Big 12 era is young, and Utah remains a strong program across multiple sports. But if he wants to keep the momentum going, the next chapter of his leadership needs fewer unforced errors - and a little more of the composure that his position demands.