The Mack Rhoades investigation has entered a critical phase as Mack Rhoades, athletic director for Baylor Bears and chair of the College Football Playoff Selection Committee, takes a leave of absence amid multiple internal probes.
What triggered the investigation?
The September 20 sideline incident
One major component of the Mack Rhoades investigation arises from a sideline confrontation during Baylor’s game versus Arizona State Sun Devils on September 20, 2025. According to reports, Rhoades confronted Baylor tight end Michael Trigg about the color of his undershirt (yellow long-sleeved) while the rest of the team wore black jerseys. Rhoades allegedly questioned: “What the f*** are you wearing that yellow shirt for?” He is said to have placed his hands on Trigg and engaged in a verbal altercation.
Following that incident, Baylor announced it had completed a “thorough review” under university policies and declared the matter “now closed.”
New, separate allegations
More troubling for Baylor is a second investigation tied to the Mack Rhoades investigation that appears to be unrelated to the Trigg incident. Baylor officials say on November 10 they received new allegations involving Rhoades. The university clarified these allegations do not involve Title IX, student welfare, NCAA rules, or direct interaction with a Baylor athlete.
In short:
- Incident #1: Sideline confrontation with Trigg (investigated, said to be closed)
- Incident #2: Additional allegations under investigation, separate from #1, not involving athlete or NCAA policy violation
Leave of absence & CFP role change
Baylor stated that Rhoades’ leave of absence commenced effective November 12, 2025, and described it as for personal reasons. The University declined additional details.
Simultaneously, the College Football Playoff committee announced that Rhoades will step down from his chairmanship and committee membership due to his leave of absence. According to CFP Executive Director Rich Clark, the committee will seek a replacement chair.
Baylor’s interim leadership plan
During the leave, Baylor has appointed two co-interim athletic directors to manage the athletics department:
- Jovan Overshown – Deputy AD & COO
- Cody Hall – Executive Senior Associate AD for internal administration & CFO
The university emphasized that the matter remains under investigation and that it “remains committed to ensuring a respectful and accountable environment” for its coaches, athletes and staff.
Timeline of key developments
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Sept 20 2025 | Sideline incident during Baylor vs Arizona State game involving Rhoades & Trigg |
| Nov 10 2025 | Baylor receives new allegations unrelated to the sideline incident |
| Nov 12 2025 | Baylor announces Rhoades’ leave of absence for “personal reasons” |
| Nov 13 2025 | CFP confirms Rhoades will step down as chair and committee member |
What the investigations mean for Baylor and the CFP
The Mack Rhoades investigation places pressure on both Baylor’s athletics program and the College Football Playoff committee. For Baylor, the optics of an AD under internal investigation raise questions about accountability and leadership culture. For the CFP, losing its chair mid-season adds instability to the committee that ranks teams for the playoff.
Media commentary highlights two risks:
- Reputation risk: As the public face of Baylor athletics, Rhoades’ conduct reflects on the program’s culture.
- Operational disruption: The CFP committee must fill a leadership void while performing its core role during the season.
What’s still unknown
- The exact nature and details of the new allegations under investigation.
- Whether Baylor will impose disciplinary action, other than the leave of absence.
- The timeline for the investigation to conclude or for transparency around findings.
- Who will succeed Rhoades as CFP selection committee chair and how that will affect rankings decisions.
What to watch next
- Official investigation findings and any university statement after review.
- CFP committee announcing its interim or new chair and how that affects the remainder of the season.
- Any further internal updates from Baylor regarding its athletics leadership structure or policy changes.
- Media updates about whether the investigation may impact Baylor’s NCAA compliance or athlete/staff relations.
The Mack Rhoades investigation remains an evolving story in collegiate athletics with implications both for Baylor and the broader College Football Playoff ecosystem.
We invite you to share your thoughts below and stay tuned for further developments.