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Last weekend, OutKick reported that Baylor AD and CFP Chair Mack Rhoades was involved in a sideline incident with tight end Michael Trigg, followed by a postgame verbal and physical altercation with an assistant coach that led to an investigation and multiple HR complaints.
On Tuesday night, ESPN hosted the release of the CFP rankings and did not ask the chairman about the incident that occurred on September 20, which should not come as a surprise since the CFP has a massive contract with the network.
Similarly, Mack Rhoades himself did not voluntarily discuss the incident during his appearance on the CFP rankings.
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After the release, there was a teleconference with journalists, and the subject was also not addressed. OutKick was not called, but would have asked Rhoades to address the allegations.
Allegations against Mack Rhoades led to investigation
July 18, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; 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)
On September 20, as Baylor prepared to face Arizona State in a Big 12 game, tight end Michael Trigg was scheduled to take the field for the opening series. As part of his uniform that day, Trigg wore a long-sleeved yellow shirt to cover a shoulder brace.
According to multiple sources, athletic director Mack Rhoades walked up to Trigg as the ball was being kicked to start the game, made contact and asked him ‘What the hell are you wearing that yellow jersey?’
Immediately after the game, as the players made their way around the field to thank fans, along with the call for the school song, Rhoades allegedly stood behind Trigg and other coaches. This is when the situation took a different turn where an assistant coach was involved.
Multiple sources told OutKick that when Trigg went to see his family and an assistant coach was visiting on his own, Rhoades came up from behind and grabbed the assistant’s arm and then his shoulder and neck area.
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Rhoades then proceeded to verbally attack the assistant coach, which was witnessed by several Baylor employees in the athletic department along with family members of the assistant.
There is video footage of the incident that university officials have seen, and it should be noted that FOX Sports televised the game between Arizona State and Baylor.
Baylor Bears athletic director Mack Rhoades reacts during a press conference during the Big 12 media days at the Omni Dallas Hotel on July 18, 2016. (Kevin Jairaj/USA TODAY Sports)
An investigation was launched into the Mack Rhoades incident
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.
When asked Monday about the incident and whether it would have any effect on his players, Baylor coach Dave Aranda said it was something he could not discuss.
“No, you know, it’s an HR deal, it’s above my grade,” Aranda said. “The team is in a good place, energy-wise, in a good place, focus-wise. It’s going to take our best to fight.”
Baylor has not denied our reporting of this story and the events that occurred on September 20. In an email to Baylor, Outkick provided all the details of the incident in question that they could respond to.
“More than a month ago, Baylor University received reports of an incident involving Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Mack Rhoades,” the statement to OutKick read. “These reports were thoroughly reviewed and investigated in accordance with university policies, appropriate action was taken, and the matter is now closed. Mr. Rhoades has expressed regret for his feelings and recognizes that his behavior at the time did not reflect 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 responsible environment for all of our student-athletes, coaches and staff.”
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.
There were up to eight people who witnessed the alleged incident involving the athletic director and assistant coach, along with stadium cameras.
Baylor Bears head coach Dave Aranda works on the sideline during the second half of the game against the Cincinnati Bearcats at Nippert Stadium on Oct. 25, 2025. (Aaron Doster/Imagn Images)
Now we wait to see when Rhoades will address the incidents in question. Maybe it’s next week during the CFP teleconference, or he’s forced to when the regular season ends.
