Baylor athletic director and College Football Playoff selection committee chairman Mack Rhoades has taken a leave of absence, according to ESPN's Heather Dinich.
Rhoades said he initiated the leave but declined to provide further details. Baylor later issued a brief statement acknowledging the move, adding that it would not comment further on personnel matters.
Rhoades is expected to step away from his responsibilities with the College Football Playoff as well. Selection committee protocol requires athletic directors serving on the 12-person panel to be active in their roles, meaning the group will need to name a replacement. The committee was already operating one member short after former NFL star Randall McDaniel also stepped aside last month for personal reasons.
The leave comes amid scrutiny surrounding an internal investigation into Rhoades’ conduct during Baylor’s Sept. 20 game against Arizona State. Multiple reports alleged a sideline confrontation with tight end Michael Trigg over the color of a shirt the player was wearing, followed by a postgame verbal and physical dispute with an assistant coach.
Baylor said the matter had been “thoroughly reviewed” and resolved in accordance with university policies. Last weekend, OutKick reported additional complaints connected to the incident, prompting renewed questions about Rhoades’ status.
During Tuesday night’s CFP rankings show on ESPN, Rhoades was not asked about the allegations and did not mention them himself, an omission notable given the network’s broadcast partnership with the playoff.
More college football news:
- Deion Sanders buyout, contract details as Colorado Buffaloes coach
- Was Adidas behind James Franklin's firing? Penn State breaks silence on rumor
- Brian Kelly buyout, contract details as LSU Tigers coach
- Indiana coach Curt Cignetti's salary bump of 2,729% in four years is insane
- Paul Finebaum tells Dabo Swinney 'Time is up' at Clemson