These folks are paid to be objective and unbiased, and their calls are and performances are reviewed. Doing a good job affects them professionally.

All that said, does it help in any way when you act as the Utes have? How do you feel as an official watching what Harlan did to one of your colleagues? Or even having one of the Ute players extend the bird directly into his face following Harlan’s temper tantrum? At some point, some official that for good reasons or bad, has it out for Utah over the AD’s behavior is going to be in a position to enact some measure of retribution— whether that is outright making a call he or she does not have to make or looking the other way. And in a perfect world, it will cost the Utes.

Frankly, I hope that’s exactly what happens, and when it does it, it will be richly deserved.

I’m glad my worst moments regarding officials weren’t on national television, and I am a little less apt to judge. But on some level, you’ve got to be able to weigh the cost/benefit ratio of your actions, particularly when you’re in a position where your behavior impacts your team. Then there’s the whole thing about Christian principles and treating others with respect, even in trying circumstances, etc. And there’s this other thing: When you do screw up, apologize, and get better. The worse the screwup, the greater than need to make amends and course correct.

Harlan threw all of that out the window and has gone all in on placating his own ego. Days after the incident, he remains an incredibly petulant jerk in all of this. One has to think that karma is out there lurking ready to absolutely clock he and the Utes over this, and when it does, I hope to have my popcorn ready.