Dec. 13, 2000

By PRESTON TRUMAN
Standard-Examiner staff

SALT LAKE CITY - A depressed Rick Majerus came out of hiding for an hour Tuesday night to take calls and answer fans' questions on KALL-910 AM with host Brad Stone.

It's the first time University of Utah's head coach has spoken to the media or fans about the progression of his knee rehabilit- ation since he left the team after their first game of the season -- a 71-65 win over Idaho State on Nov. 17.

Since that time, he's reportedly been in Las Vegas, of all places, working on strengthening his knee he had surgery on in late September.

"Well, I'm fine," he told Stone, sounding less than peppy. "I'd like to be more bubbly and enthusiastic here, but I just got back from rehabilitation and I'm exhausted. I work at this as hard as I can everyday. I make increases. Granted they're minute, but I make them."

Majerus, talking on the phone from his hotel room in Las Vegas, said he's exhausted from working with therapist and friend Keith Kleven for some nine hours each day. Though it's been agonizing for him to be away from his team, Majerus said he still doesn't expect to return until Jan. 1, as originally planned.

"I don't want to compromise my health and be in pain -- severe pain," he said, yawning several times during the show.

The basketball lover he is, Majerus said he misses practice situations most and talks to acting head coach Dick Hunsaker some three-four times a day about the happenings of the team. He did say he is keeping an arms length, however, and hasn't seen a game tape while in Las Vegas.

Majerus said Hunsaker is doing a great job under the difficult circumstances, and then he really started to sound like himself in saying the 4-4 Utes are young, inexperienced and have no backcourt. He also talked about the dirty play in the Utah State loss, Keith Van Horn's injuries, practices leading up to his leaving, and Dallas Mavericks' head coach Don Nelson and his dealing with prostate cancer.

Majerus also said he'll follow Kleven, who has kids in Utah, to Salt Lake over Christmas so he can continue his rehabilitation.

"I feel a sense of loss," Majerus said. Being away "becomes intoxicating if it's what you like to do."