Mack Rhoades’ time at Baylor is officially over.
The school announced Rhoades had resigned as athletic director just over a week after he took a leave of absence from the university. Rhoades had been Baylor’s athletic director since arriving from Missouri in 2016 and had also been serving as the chairman of the College Football Playoff selection committee. He stepped away from his role with the CFP when he took his leave of absence.
“Since joining Baylor in 2016, Mack has led our athletics program through a period of remarkable rebuilding and achievement,” Baylor president Linda Livingstone said in a statement Thursday afternoon. “During his tenure, Baylor claimed numerous Big 12 championships, made countless postseason appearances and earned national titles in several sports, including historic wins that will forever be etched in our collective memory. These victories were not just about athletic excellence — they were moments that brought the Baylor Family together, united in joy and spirit.
Mack’s influence also extends beyond the scoreboard. He committed to making significant investments in our athletics infrastructure, headlined by the Paul and Alejandra Foster Pavilion along the Brazos riverfront. More importantly, Mack championed the holistic development of our student-athletes, ensuring they excel academically and grow as leaders. Within the Big 12 Conference and across the country, he is widely recognized as a defender of the important role athletics plays on college and university campuses.”
Rhoades’ leave came after he was the subject of a second internal investigation by the school regarding a possible violation of university policies. Rhoades had previously been investigated for an alleged confrontation with a Baylor football player during a game in September.
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He said in a letter Thursday night that he needed to put an “intentional focus” on his faith and family.
“The past nine years serving as the Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics at Baylor University have been among the greatest joys of my professional life,” Rhoades wrote. “However, I find myself in a season of life where I need to prioritize my faith and my family with an intentional focus that requires me to move on from my role as caretaker of this great athletics program.”
The first investigation centered on Rhoades’ alleged actions towards tight end Michael Trigg over the undershirt Trigg was wearing during the Bears’ game against Arizona State. Per multiple reports, Rhoades didn’t like the color of the shirt Trigg had to cover his shoulder brace, and the AD reportedly had “heated words” with coach Dave Aranda.
Before he took his leave of absence, Rhoades was the face of the CFP selection committee on the first two playoff rankings shows of the year. The chairman’s job on the committee is to appear on ESPN and explain the committee’s ranking rationale to the public. After Rhoades stepped down, he was replaced by Utah athletic director Mark Harlan on the committee and Arkansas AD Hunter Yurachek took over as committee chair.
