Baylor AD Mack Rhoades taking leave, also stepping away as CFP chair

Field Level Media|published: Thu 13th November, 13:18 2025

Jul 18, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Baylor Bears new athletic director Mack Rhoades reacts at a press conference during the Big 12 Media Days at Omni Dallas Hotel. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

Mack Rhoades is taking a leave from his job as athletic director at Baylor and also stepping away from his position as the College Football Playoff chairman, ESPN reported Thursday, citing personal reasons.

Per the report, Rhoades told ESPN that he informed the school he intended to leave his role for now but declined to provide a more specific reason.

Yahoo Sports reported that Arkansas athletic director Hunter Yurachek is being nominated to serve as Rhoades' replacement as CFP commitment chair. The Big 12 is recommending Utah AD Mark Harlan fill the spot on the board.

The university told ESPN that unspecified allegations were made against Rhoades on Monday that do not involve the football team or issues pertaining to student welfare, NCAA rules or Title IX.

Last month, he and tight end Michael Trigg reportedly had words about a shirt Trigg was wearing during Baylor's Sept. 20 game against Arizona State. Baylor previously said in a news release that the alleged incident had been "thoroughly reviewed and investigated in accordance with University policies, appropriate actions were taken and the matter is now closed."

Joyan Overshown, the deputy athletic director, and Cody Hall, a senior associate athletic director, will team to fill the AD job on an interim basis, ESPN reported. They are the athletic department's COO and CFO, respectively.

Rhoades, 60, was appointed the Bears' AD on July 13, 2016.

--Field Level Media

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