The University of Utah athletic department will implement department-wide furloughs, including athletic director Mark Harlan, football coach Kyle Whittingham and men's basketball coach Larry Krystkowiak, Harlan said in a radio interview Friday.

"We've had to make some tough decisions because you can't wait for what might not happen," Harlan told ESPN 700 host Bill Riley.

The decision comes with the department facing a financial shortfall that Harlan previously estimated could range from $50-60 million, due to cancellations and postponements from the coronavirus pandemic. Harlan did not provide a specific timeline for when the furloughs will be carried out or for how long the employees, including himself, will be away from work.