Report: Arkansas AD Hunter Yurachek nominated as new College Football Playoff selection committee chair

Arkansas athletic director Hunter Yurachek has been nominated to replace departing Baylor AD Mack Rhoades as the new chairperson of the College Football Playoff selection committee, according to Yahoo! Sports’ Ross Dellenger. This move would need to be approved by the CFP governing board.

Yurachek was already part of the now-11-member CFP selection committee following his 2024 appointment. He would be the CFP committee’s second chairman to come from Arkansas after former Razorbacks AD Jeff Long was the inaugural chair of the Playoff selection committee between 2014-17.

Rhoades took a leave of absence from both of his roles as the CFP committee chair and as the Bears’ AD earlier Thursday amid reports he’s currently being investigated by the school following new allegations. This new investigation is reportedly not related to a previous investigation into a pair of troubling interactions with Baylor tight end Michael Trigg and an unnamed Bears assistant coach during the Sept. 20 home loss to Arizona State that was reported last week by OutKick‘s Trey Wallace.

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

Dellenger added these new allegations “do not involve Title IX or any direct interaction with a Baylor athlete.” Rhoades was the second member of the usual 13-member CFP selection committee to step away this season, following Arizona State alum Randall McDaniel‘s decision to leave in mid-October for personal reasons.

Report: Baylor AD, CFP Chair Mack Rhoades investigated for sideline incident with star TE Michael Trigg, assistant coach

According to a report by OutKick‘s Trey Wallace, Rhoades was previously under investigation from the school after two different incidents involving Trigg and a Baylor football assistant that reportedly occurred during the Sept. 20 loss to Arizona State. 

“More than a month ago, Baylor University received reports of an incident involving Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Mack Rhoades,” Baylor told OutKick in a statement. “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.”

According to Wallace’s report, the incident involving Trigg took place just before Baylor’s first offensive possession when Rhoades reportedly approached the veteran tight end and said, “What the f**k are you wearing that yellow shirt for?” Baylor was wearing alternate uniforms that day with yellow lettering and highlights. Wallace added Bears assistant coaches spent time throughout the game calming Trigg down following the interaction with Rhoades.

— On3’s Griffin McVeigh contributed to this report.