The Baylor University athletic department is expected to announce soon that Mack Rhoades will be stepping down as athletic director, according to sources who spoke with ESPN. This news comes one week after Rhoades stepped down from the College Football Playoff committee.
Rhoades, who has held the AD role at Baylor since July 2016, recently went on a leave of absence citing personal reasons, and his departure is currently in the works.
A sideline incident involving Rhoades and Baylor tight end Michael Trigg occurred during the Sept. 20 game against Arizona State; however, there has been no confirmation that the incident is connected to his leave. Rhoades has not publicly disclosed his reasons for stepping away from Baylor or the CFP committee.
However, multiple reports indicate the university received additional allegations last week, while Rhoades’ leave was officially attributed to “personal reasons.”
Prior to Baylor, Rhoades held athletic director positions at University of Missouri, University of Houston and University of Akron. During his time at Baylor, he oversaw the hiring of Matt Rhule and the capture of eight national titles, including the one achieved by the Bears men’s basketball team under Scott Drew.
His tenure marked a phase of stabilization for Baylor athletics following the turbulence and legal issues associated with the legacy of former football coach Art Briles. Under current coach Dave Aranda the program won the Big 12 title in 2021 and beat Ole Miss Rebels in the Sugar Bowl that same year.
Rhoades’ expected exit also continues a pattern: he will be the third consecutive Baylor athletic director to depart amid challenging circumstances, following Ian McCaw and Tom Stanton, each of whom left during periods of off-field scrutiny tied to previous controversies.
