### Major Shake-Up in College Sports: Baylor AD Mack Rhoades Steps Down Amid Controversy - Mack Rhoades, the athletic director at Baylor University and chairman of the College Football Playoff (CFP) selection committee, has stepped down from both roles. This decision comes in the wake of allegations involving a verbal and physical altercation with a player, which has prompted an investigation by the university. Rhoades' departure marks a significant moment in college athletics, highlighting the scrutiny faced by leaders in the sports industry. - The allegations against Rhoades do not pertain to Title IX, student-athlete welfare, or NCAA rules violations, and they are not related to the football program, according to Baylor officials [https://apnews.com/article/mack-rhoades-baylor-ad-cfp-aa53af304ab5e1320e6c11bd05fa13fd]. ### Breakdown of Events Leading to Rhoades' Departure 1. **Incident Overview**: Rhoades was involved in a confrontation with Baylor tight end Michael Trigg during a game against Arizona State on September 20, 2025. Reports indicate that Rhoades confronted Trigg over his undershirt, which did not match the team's colors, leading to a heated exchange [https://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/baylor_ad_and_cfp_chairman_mack_rhoades_stepping_away_from_both_roles/s1_13132_43063102]. 2. **Allegations and Investigation**: Following the incident, new allegations surfaced, prompting Baylor to initiate an investigation. The university has stated that these allegations are serious but do not involve any violations of NCAA rules or Title IX [https://www.kcentv.com/article/news/local/baylor-athletic-director-mack-rhoades-steps-down-cfp-role-takes-leave-of-absence/500-7f6994ab-063f-40b6-a7bd-62e56c9e2c3c]. 3. **Resignation and Replacement**: Rhoades announced his leave of absence on November 13, 2025, and was subsequently replaced by Hunter Yurachek, the athletic director at the University of Arkansas, as the new CFP chairman [https://www.bastillepost.com/global/article/5368103-mack-rhoades-leaves-role-as-cfp-selection-committee-chairman-and-takes-leave-of-absence-as-baylor-ad]. ### Supporting Evidence and Context - **Timeline of Events**: - September 20, 2025: Rhoades confronts player Michael Trigg during a game. - November 8, 2025: Reports of the altercation and subsequent investigation emerge. - November 13, 2025: Rhoades steps down from both his roles amid ongoing investigations. - **Key Points**: - Rhoades' tenure as CFP chairman was notably short, as he was in his first season in this role. - The university's investigation is ongoing, and while Rhoades has not publicly commented on the allegations, the situation has raised questions about leadership accountability in college sports [https://www.timesnownews.com/sports/college-football-shake-up-mack-rhoades-steps-away-from-cfp-chair-baylor-ad-role-in-shocking-double-exit-article-153148862]. ### Conclusion: Implications of Rhoades' Departure - **Significant Leadership Change**: Rhoades' resignation from both the Baylor AD position and the CFP chairmanship underscores the challenges faced by leaders in college athletics, particularly regarding personal conduct and accountability. - **Future of Baylor Athletics**: The university is now tasked with navigating the fallout from this incident while ensuring that its athletic programs maintain integrity and compliance with regulations. - **Next Steps**: As Baylor continues its investigation, the implications of this situation may lead to broader discussions about the standards and expectations for athletic directors and their conduct in collegiate sports [https://www.outkick.com/sports/mack-rhoades-cfp-baylor-ad-leave-of-absence].