Baylor AD Mack Rhoades Takes Leave Amid New Allegations
Baylor University’s athletic director, Mack Rhoades, has officially taken a leave of absence following a series of troubling allegations that have surfaced over the past month. This decision comes just days after his appearance on the College Football Playoff rankings show, where he declined to comment on an ongoing investigation surrounding his conduct. Alongside stepping away from his duties at Baylor, Rhoades is also resigning from his position as chair of the College Football Playoff committee.
The controversy began with reports of an alleged altercation on September 20, before Baylor’s game against Arizona State. Sources told OutKick that Rhoades confronted tight end Michael Trigg on the sidelines as Trigg prepared to take the field wearing a yellow long-sleeved shirt covering a shoulder brace. Rhoades reportedly questioned Trigg about the shirt, using inappropriate language, while placing his hands on the player. The incident occurred in the presence of multiple assistant coaches and staff, drawing immediate concern for its public nature.
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The situation escalated further when Rhoades allegedly accosted an assistant coach shortly afterward. According to witnesses, Rhoades approached the coach from behind while the coach was with family members, grabbing his arm and shoulder and engaging in a verbal confrontation. Multiple angles of video footage reportedly captured these moments, which were later submitted as part of anonymous HR complaints.
In response, Baylor launched an internal investigation into Rhoades’ behavior. University officials acknowledged that he had expressed remorse for letting his emotions get the better of him, and appropriate actions were said to have been taken. However, new allegations surfaced on November 10 that are unrelated to the football program and do not involve Title IX, NCAA rules, or student welfare. These reports further complicated the situation and intensified scrutiny on Rhoades’ role within the university.
With Rhoades stepping aside, Baylor’s athletic department will be managed by co-interim ADs Jovan Overshown and Cody Hall. The College Football Playoff committee is expected to nominate Arkansas AD Hunter Yurachek as Rhoades’ replacement as chair, while Utah AD Mark Harlan is recommended to fill his committee seat. These nominations are pending approval by the CFP governing boards.
This series of events has placed Rhoades at the center of a complex situation that extends beyond athletics, highlighting the challenges universities face in addressing allegations of misconduct at the leadership level. While Baylor has confirmed the leave of absence, the investigation and its broader implications continue to unfold, leaving the university community and college football fans closely watching the next steps in this ongoing matter.
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