COVID-19 shutdowns, postponements and cancelations are hurting athletic departments at all levels around the country. On Friday, Utah athletic director Mark Harlan announced that he and all other athletic department employees, including Utes head football coach Kyle Whittingham, will be furloughed for varying lengths of time.

KUTV shared Harlan’s statement:

“As I have previously shared, the financial challenges that we are facing at Utah has led us to make difficult—but necessary—decisions to mitigate the financial impacts of the pandemic. These changes include furloughs of various lengths for every Department employee—including me, our executive cabinet and our head and assistant coaches. In addition, in some select cases, we have also eliminated positions through reductions in force. We also have eliminated all performance bonuses until further notice.

“These decisions were not based on employee performance, but rather reflect the significant financial shortfall we face as well as the realities of the postponement of fall sports competition. We are prioritizing the areas of our athletics operations that directly support our student-athletes.”

Utah and other Pac-12 programs may catch a break. The conference is reportedly “hopeful” it can start a season before Jan. 1 after previously postponing its 202 fall sports season to the spring of 2021.