College Football Playoff confirms Mack Rhoades will step down as selection committee chairman after leave of absence

Baylor athletic director Mack Rhoades has chosen to step down from his role as chairman of the College Football Playoff selection committee due to personal reasons, CFP executive director Rich Clark confirmed to On3‘s Pete Nakos. ESPN’s Heather Dinich was first with the report.

“Mack will step down from his role with the committee at this time for personal reasons,” Clark told ESPN. “The CFP will likely try to replace Rhoades and will work on naming a new chair as quickly as possible.”

This move from Rhoades followed a similar decision to take a leave of absence from his role at Baylor. That was also due to personal reasons, the school announced Thursday morning.

“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 Nakos. “The University will decline to comment further at this time.”

Rhoades’ decision to step away from both his AD and CFP committee chairman roles comes on the heels of a report from Yahoo! Sports insider Ross Dellenger that Rhoades is currently facing a school investigation into new allegations involving Rhoades. These new allegations are reportedly not connected 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.

Dellenger added these new allegations “do not involve Title IX or any direct interaction with a Baylor athlete.” Rhoades is now 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.

The 60-year-old Rhoades as served as Baylor’s AD since 2016 and has been an FBS athletic director for the past two decades, including at Missouri (2015-16), Houston (2009-15) and Akron (2006-09).

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 that Bears assistant coaches spent time throughout the game calming Trigg down following the interaction with Rhoades.

— On3’s Griffin McVeigh contributed to this report.