Mack Rhoades investigation, explained: Why Baylor AD is stepping down from role as CFP committee chair

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Mack Rhoades investigation, explained: Why Baylor AD is stepping down from role as CFP committee chair

Mack Rhoades investigation, explained: Why Baylor AD is stepping down from role as CFP committee chair originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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Baylor athletic director Mack Rhoades is stepping down from both his duties for the Bears and as the College Football Playoff selection committee's chairman for "personal reasons," according to Yahoo Sports' Ross Dellenger.

Rhoades released a statement on Thursday, Nov. 20 saying "I find myself in a season of life where I need to prioritize my faith and family with an intentional focus that requires me to move on from my role as caretaker of this great athletics program."

The former Baylor athletic director reportedly initiated the leave from the university. With him stepping away from the CFP committee, it was left with 11 members for 2025, down from its usual 13, per Dellenger. Because of that, the committee has now added another member and named a new chairman, Hunter Yurachek.

Last week, an Outkick report detailed that Rhoades was the center of a Baylor investigation into "an alleged verbal and physical altercation with a football player and assistant coach." However, according to Dellenger, Rhoades' leave of absence is related to new allegations, not the prior school investigation or any "direct interaction with a Baylor athlete."

Here's what's known about Baylor's athletic director and the CFP selection committee's 2025 chairman taking a leave of absence.

Why is Mack Rhoades stepping down as CFP committee chair?

Rhoades is taking stepping down from both Baylor and his duties as the CFP selection committee's chairman after Baylor was "made aware of allegations" about Rhoades and is now investigating them, per Ross Dellenger.

Dellenger later reported that the allegations against Rhoades "are related to a violation of the faith-based university’s policies and practices." Further details are not yet known, as Baylor is continuing an investigation.

Rhoades initiated a leave of absence for "personal reasons," Dellenger first reported. The leave began on Nov. 12.

According to Dellenger, the allegations against Rhoades "do not involve Title IX or any direct interaction with a Baylor athlete," and they are not related to a separate investigation by Baylor into a Sept. 20 football game, which is when Outkick reported that the athletic director had gotten into an alleged verbal and physical altercation with a player and assistant coach.

Additionally, according to Outkick, the new allegations against Rhoades "do not involve Title IX, student welfare or NCAA rules."

“Baylor Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Mack Rhoades is on a leave of absence for personal reasons, effective November 12,” Baylor said in a statement, per On3‘s Pete Nakos. “The University will decline to comment further at this time.”

Rhoades has been Baylor's athletic director since 2016. 

After taking his leave from Baylor, Rhoades then also stepped down from the College Football Playoff selection committee on Thursday, per Dellenger. That left the committee at 11 members instead of its usual 13, as member Randall McDaniel also stepped away for personal reasons in October.

On Thursday, Rhoades released a personal statement, saying "I find myself in a season of life where I need to prioritize my faith and family with an intentional focus that requires me to move on from my role as caretaker of this great athletics program."

Following the news of Rhoades stepping down, the CFP selection committee has since announced an addition to the committee, as well as a new chair to fill Rhoades' spot. 

Who is the new CFP committee chair?

Arkansas athletic director Hunter Yurachek has named the CFP selection committee's new chairman, the committee announced Thursday. Additionally, Utah athletic director Mark Harlan has been added to the committee as its 12th member, replacing Rhoades.

With Rhoades and McDaniel on leave, Harlan being added as a new member and Yuracheck becoming the new 2025 chairman, there are currently 12 members on the 2025 CFP committee, who are as follows:

Committee MemberOther Roles
Chris AultFormer Nevada head coach
Troy DannenAthletic Director at Nebraska
Mark DantonioFormer Cincinnati, Michigan State head coach
Jeff LongConsultant with ISE and Trenchcoat Advisors, former CFP committee chairman, former athletic director
Ivan MaiselSportswriter
Chris MassaroAthletic Director at Middle Tennessee State University
Mike RileyFormer head coach at Oregon State, Nebraska, other leagues
David SaylerAthletic Director at Miami (Ohio) University
Wesley WallsFormer All-American tight end at the University of Mississippi, College Football Hall of Famer
Carla WilliamsAthletic Director at University of Virginia
Hunter Yurachek (New Chair)Vice Chancellor and Athletic Director at the University of Arkansas
Mark Harlan (replacement for Rhoades)Athletic Director at the University of Utah

Who is Hunter Yurachek?

Hunter Yurachek is the athletic director at the University of Arkansas and a member of the 2025 College Football Playoff selection committee. On Thursday, he was named the committee's new chair for the 2025 season after Mack Rhoades stepped down.

"We are deeply appreciative of Mack Rhoades' leadership and service as Chair of the College Football Playoff Selection Committee this season," CFP executive director Rich Clark said in a statement. "Mack has informed us of his decision to step down for personal reasons, and our thoughts are with him and his family during this time.

We are pleased to announce that Hunter Yurachek will assume the role of Selection Committee Chair, effective immediately. Hunter's experience, integrity, and commitment to the game make him exceptionally well-suited to lead the committee as it continues its important work throughout the remainder of the season."

Prior to joining the University of Arkansas in 2017 as athletic director, Yurachek's previous roles included being an athletic director at the University of Houston from 2015-17, an athletic director at Coastal Carolina from 2010-15, and assistant/associate athletic director roles at Vanderbilt, Western Carolina, Virginia and Akron.

Mack Rhoades investigations, explained

Incident involving alleged confrontations with Baylor player, coach

According to Ross Dellenger, the investigation from Baylor that resulted in Rhoades' leave of absence was not related to a prior school investigation into Rhoades for an incident involving Bears tight end Michael Trigg and an unnamed assistant coach on Sept. 20, before a home loss to Arizona State.

Rhoades was the subject of the first Baylor investigation, according to Outkick, for allegedly confronting Trigg over the type of undershirt that Trigg was wearing against Arizona State pregame. Then, after the game, Rhoades allegedly "proceeded to verbally accost" an assistant coach in front of other staff members and family members. 

Baylor later confirmed an investigation had been completed into the alleged altercations involving Rhoades in Outkick's report.

"More than a month ago, Baylor University received reports of an incident involving Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Mack Rhoades," the statement to OutKick read. "These reports were thoroughly reviewed and investigated in accordance with University policies, appropriate actions were taken, and the matter is now closed. Mr. Rhoades has expressed regret over his emotions and recognizes his conduct at that moment was not reflective of our Christian mission and values."

"Mr. Rhoades is an important part of our Baylor Family, and we look forward to his continued leadership of our Athletics Department. We remain committed to ensuring a respectful and accountable environment for all of our student-athletes, coaches, and staff."

Investigation resulting in leave of absence

Six days after Outkick's report about Rhoades' alleged incidents with the player and assistant coach was released, the athletic director took a leave of absence for "new allegations that were presented to the school on November 10th," per Outkick.

The outlet also reported that the new allegations do not involve Title IX, student welfare, NCAA rules, or the football program.

According to Dellenger, the newest Baylor investigation into Rhoades, which resulted in him stepping down from his roles, involves "a violation of the faith-based university’s policies and practices." However, further details are not yet available as the university continues its investigation.

Who is Michael Trigg?

Michael Trigg is a senior tight end at Baylor University, joining the team in 2024 as a transfer from Ole Miss. He's led the team in receiving throughout the 2025 season.

Outkick reported that on Sept. 20, Trigg was preparing for a game against Arizona State, wearing a "long-sleeved yellow shirt that was being used to cover a brace he was wearing on his shoulder." Athletic director Mack Rhoades allegedly approached Trigg and put his hands on him, criticizing him for the shirt he was wearing, according to Outkick. The incident reportedly happened just before the game began.

An investigation into Rhoades' interaction with Trigg, along with his postgame interactions with assistant coaches, was launched by Baylor afterward, per Outkick.

Mack Rhoades leave of absence from Baylor

Athletic director Mack Rhoades took a leave of absence from Baylor on Nov. 12, according to Yahoo Sports. Rhoades also then reportedly stepped down from his role as the College Football Playoff committee's chairman.

Rhoades' leave of absence comes as Baylor is conducting "an internal investigation" into allegations against Rhoades, which are unrelated to a previous investigation about an alleged confrontation Rhoades had with a Baylor football player and assistant coaches on Sept. 20, per Yahoo.

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