The hugely successful athletic director of the University of Utah, Mark Harlan, has been with his wife, Carolyn, for well over two decades now.
Mark Harlan has been the athletic director at the University of Utah since 2018.
He has overseen significant success, including four national championships, 24 conference titles, and a record-high finish in the 2022-23 LEARFIEL Director’s Cup.
This success has earned him a lucrative contract through 2028.
Furthermore, he has also won NACDA’s A.D. of the Year award.
Its so hard to win an NCAA Championship. All this man has done is win it every year that he has coached the @utahskiteam. Amazing-Congratulations to Coach Landstedt, his staff and these student-athletes,who manage the pressure and expectations every single year. pic.twitter.com/Sb2TxKjcFd
— Mark Harlan (@MarkHarlan_AD) March 11, 2023
Previously, Mark Harlan served as the athletic director at the University of South Florida.
There, he faced criticism for an academic scandal involving the men’s basketball team and a botched Big 12 conference pitch.
Moreover, on November 10, 2024, Mark Harlan was fined $40,000 by the Big 12 after a national TV incident in which he made disparaging comments about the referees involved in Utah’s loss to BYU.
He accused the officials of unfair officiating.
Mark Harlan And His Wife Share Two Children
Mark Harlan has been married to his wife, Carolyn Harlan, for over 24 years now.
Carolyn tends to live a private life, away from the spotlight, and thus, no substantial information is available to the public regarding her life.
Nonetheless, Mark Harlan’s wife, Carolyn, actively supports his career as the University of Utah’s athletic director.
Mark Harlan and his wife are often seen attending games and events with their two children, Savannah, the older daughter, and Austin, the younger son.
Additionally, their family also includes a Labradoodle named Cali.
Happy Anniversary to my bride Carolyn, 17 years of pure adventure from coast to coast. Let the good times continue to roll… pic.twitter.com/wgLDbvWv9O
— Mark Harlan (@MarkHarlan_AD) May 27, 2017
The couple shares a close bond, having moved to Utah when Mark Harlan took his current job in 2018.
Prior to Utah, Mark Harlan and his wife probably settled in Florida.
Mark Harlan worked at the University of South Florida as the Athletic Director.
Throughout his career, Carolyn has been a steady presence by his side.
Given that their children are now 19 and 16, it suggests that the couple has a longstanding and stable relationship.
Their relationship has weathered numerous relocations throughout the country.
However, Carolyn’s support for her husband never waned as she always supported him in his dream “to be in the Pac-12”.
When Mark Harlan was unveiled as the new Athletic Director at Utah, Carolyn said,
To be in the Pac-12, has been the dream always.
Carolyn Harlan — Via The Salt Lake Tribune
Furthermore, Carolyn Harlan thanked the University of South Florida for giving Mark his first athletic director role.
Leaving a place that Mark was able to start his career at South Florida, we owe a lot to them for giving him his first athletic director job because that was his dream. That was a big thing to get us here. We wouldn’t be here without that.
Carolyn Harlan — Via The Salt Lake Tribune
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Mark Harlan earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and a master’s degree in education.
- Mark Harlan is a graduate of the University of Arizona.
