Utah legend Rick Majerus has passed away

Rick Majerus, the former Utah Runnin' Utes coach who took the program to its highest of highs, has passed away at the age of 64.

Majerus, who has battled weight and health problems most his adult life, died Saturday after a prolonged illness associated with his heart - complications he had even back at his days with the Utes.

Though he coached five seasons at St. Louis to end his career, Majerus will be best remembered for his run as Utah's basketball coach in the 1990s. He led the Utes to nine NCAA Tournament appearances, including the 1998 national championship game - Utah would lose to Kentucky in a heart breaker.

Majerus abruptly resigned from his position as Utah head coach in early 2004, where he then became a commentator for ESPN. He returned to coaching in 2007, eventually guiding the Billikens to the NCAA Tournament last year.

His death is surprising and devastating for a program that still, to this day, lives in his enormous shadow.

May Majerus find peace in whatever exists beyond this life.