Mack Rhoades releases statement following resignation as Baylor AD

It was revealed on Thursday that Baylor athletic director Mack Rhoades officially resigned from his post. He has now released a statement on his tenure, including a possible explanation for his decision.

“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,” Rhoades wrote, in part. He went on to thank the many people who surrounded him during his tenure.

Here’s former Baylor AD Mack Rhoades’ letter addressing his tenure at Baylor. “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.” pic.twitter.com/WkQRWw6pIr

— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) November 21, 2025

The explanation from Rhoades comes after the now former athletic director took a leave of absence from his role. He also stepped down as chairman of the College Football Playoff selection committee at the same time.

The decision stemmed from ongoing Baylor investigation into allegations that “do not involve Title IX or any direct interaction with a Baylor athlete,” according to Yahoo! Sports’ Ross Dellenger. Those allegations are not related to a report from Outkick regarding an alleged incident on the Baylor sideline.

On3’s Pete Nakos reported Thursday that Rhoades was expected to resign. Livingstone made that official Thursday night with her letter to the Baylor community and said Jovan Overshown and Cody Hall will serve as co-interim athletics directors.

Rhoades took over as Baylor’s athletics director in 2016 after previously holding the same role at Missouri from 2014-15, Houston from 2009-15 and Akron from 2006-09. He started his administrative career in 1996 as a marketing assistant at Yale before a stint at Marquette and later serving as the executive senior associate AD at UTEP from 1998-2006.

Baylor will now begin the search for its next athletic director. You can read the rest of Rhoades statement, in full, below:

“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,” the statement began. “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.

I want to thank President Livingstone, our Board, our coaches, our department staff, our donors, and our fans, for their support and tireless work on behalf of Baylor Athletics. Equally as important, I want to thank each and every one of the student-athletes who wore the green and gold, made us proud every day, and represented the very best of us. They are all, truly, Champions for Life.

The incredible community that is the Baylor Family is the absolute best of the best. Together, we won national championships, established records in academics and fundraising, and built world-class facilities. I will forever cherish the memories and friendships I made as a Baylor Bear.

I know that whatever the future holds, God has a great plan for Baylor in it. May He continue to bless the university and each individual associated with it. Thank you and Sic ‘Em Bears!”

On3’s Nick Schultz contributed to this report.