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Six days after our report on Baylor AD and CFP chairman Mack Rhoades putting his hands on a player before the Arizona State game, followed by a physical altercation with an assistant coach, he is officially taking a “leave of absence” from his job.
The news also comes just two days after his appearance on the College Football Playoff rankings where he did not comment on the investigation that took place.
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Baylor Bears athletic director Mack Rhoades at a press conference during Big 12 media days at the Omni Dallas Hotel on July 18, 2016. (Kevin Jairaj/USA TODAY Sports)
Rhoades was at the center of a school investigation into an alleged verbal and physical altercation with a football player and assistant coach.
Now, OutKick can report on new allegations presented to the school on Nov. 10 that do not involve Title IX, student welfare or NCAA rules. Nor do they involve the football program.
Circumstances surrounding Mack Rhoades have only intensified over the past month, with Rhoades also skipping a prominent Wednesday night booster dinner.
Incident with player, assistant coach of Rhoades
OutKick spoke with several sources regarding this incident and are protecting their identities out of fear of future retaliation regarding this matter.
On Sept. 20, as Baylor prepared to play Arizona State in a Big 12 conference game, tight end Michael Trigg prepared to take the field for the series opener against the Sun Devils. As part of the uniform that day, Trigg wore a long-sleeved yellow shirt that was used to cover a brace he wore on his shoulder.
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Sources tell OutKick that athletic director Mack Rhoades walked up to Trigg when the ball was kicked off to start the game and while putting his hands on the player asked him ‘What the hell are you wearing that yellow jersey?’ Along the sidelines before the game, several assistants were present when this incident occurred, as it happened in a short period of time.
On Thursday, Baylor athletics released a statement to OutKick regarding Rhoades’ decision.
“Baylor Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Mack Rhoades is on leave for personal reasons effective Nov. 12. The university will decline to comment further at this time.”
July 18, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Baylor Bears new athletic director Mack Rhoades reacts at a press conference during Big 12 media days at the Omni Dallas Hotel on July 18, 2016. (Kevin Jairaj/USA TODAY Sports)
After the Michael Trigg incident, the Baylor AD physically assaulted an assistant coach in front of athletic staff members along with family members of the coach.
Multiple witnesses tell OutKick that while Trigg left to be with his family, an assistant coach was visiting with his family when AD Mack Rhoades allegedly came up from behind and grabbed the assistant’s arm and then his shoulder and neck area. Rhoades then allegedly began verbally accusing the assistant coach, according to sources.
There is video evidence of this from various angles that OutKick has seen.
Investigation was launched into Mack Rhoades
OutKick obtained HR complaints filed in response to the incident, filed anonymously to protect their identities, that shed light on the incident in question regarding the student-athlete.
According to multiple sources, an investigation was launched into the incident, with football staff and athletic department employees who were present in both cases being questioned about the incident.
Now, after Baylor did not deny any of the allegations in an email and said Rhoades was remorseful that his emotions got the best of him, and the school said appropriate actions were taken, Rhoades is stepping away from the program.
Tight end Michael Trigg #1 of the Baylor Bears holds the ball against his helmet on an apparent touchdown reception that was later overturned by review during the Big 12 college football game between the Baylor Bears and the Kansas State Wildcats on October 4, 2025 at McLane Stadium in Waco, Texas. (David Buono/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
University officials launched an investigation into this matter, with Mack Rhoades’ alleged actions at the center. There were more witnesses to the second incident in question as AD staff acknowledged that this took place in a public setting and the optics of this would not be good.
The athletic department will be run by Co-Interim AD’s, in Jovan Overshown and Cody Hall.
OutKick has reached out to the College Football Playoff Committee for comment regarding the situation.
