The Associated Press

SALT LAKE CITY - Friends of Rick Majerus urged the Utah basketball coach to get his weight and health in check long before his midnight flight to California to be treated for chest pains.

Majerus was resting and going through more tests Thursday at his cardiologist's home in Santa Barbara, Calif., friends said.

Longtime Majerus friend Jon Huntsman, a Salt Lake City billionaire whom the Utes' home arena is named after, said the coach came to his home late Tuesday after having chest pains while eating dinner.

Majerus complained the chest pains had moved to his left arm.

"Rick puts basketball ahead of everything else. It's been very difficult for him to focus on his own health," Huntsman said.

Majerus plans to retire at the end of the season. The Utes are in the hands of assistant Kerry Rupp, who will coach the team in the interim. Athletic director Chris Hill said he will probably start the search for a permanent replacement next week.

"He's going through more tests. He clearly has several weeks ahead of him of health recuperation," Huntsman said.

The heavyset coach had bypass surgery in 1989 and has always struggled with his weight. Combined with his legendary temper, Majerus' weight problems and the rigors of coaching were a dangerous combination.

With his weight continuing to rise and Tuesday's health scare, Majerus knew it was time to get better.

"It's not healthy for anybody to weigh 370 pounds," Henderson said. "He's finally made the decision that he's going to try to get on top of this and hopefully lose a little weight."

Henderson said Majerus couldn't rest well at the hospital and is staying at the doctor's home, under the watch of a nurse.

Utah (15-5) has nine games left in the regular season, starting Saturday at home against BYU.