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Mack Rhoades no longer Baylor athletic director, school announces
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- Mack Rhoades no longer Baylor athletic director, school announces
Mack Rhoades is stepping down from his position as Baylor 's athletic director, the school announced on Nov. 20. Rhoades was previously on leave of absence.
"Please join me in expressing heartfelt thanks to Mack for his years of dedicated service to Baylor," Baylor president Linda Livingstone wrote in the announcement. "We pray for him, Amy and his family as they embark on this next chapter."
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Rhoades also stepped away from his role as College Football Playoff committee chair after going on leave, which initiated on Nov. 12.
"Baylor Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Mack Rhoades is on a leave of absence for personal reasons, effective November 12," a statement from the school said. The University will decline to comment further at this time."
"I find myself in a season of life where I need to prioritize my faith and my family with an intentional focus that requires me to move on from my role as caretaker of this great athletics program," Rhoades wrote, in part, in his own statement upon the announcement he was stepping down.
The news comes on the heels of multiple reports citing Rhoades was involved in a recent altercation with Baylor tight end Michael Trigg, although those reports note the personal leave is separate from the incident. Rhoades was recently investigated by the school for having an issue with Trigg's gold-colored long sleeve undershirt ahead of the Bears ' game against Arizona State on Sept. 20.
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Rhoades has been Baylor's athletic director since 2016, after he was hired away from Missouri, where he was athletic director from 2015-16. He was also athletic director at Houston (2009-15) and Akron (2006-09).
Who will be new CFP chair?
Replacing Rhoades will be Arkansas AD Hunter Yurachek, with Utah's Mark Harlan joining the committee.
For Yurachek, it's a promotion of sorts, as he was already on the committee. He has been Arkansas' AD since 2017 after moving from the same position at Houston by way of Coastal Carolina.
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"We are pleased to announce that Hunter Yurachek will assume the role of Selection Committee Chair, effective immediately," said CFP executive director Rich Clark. "Hunter's experience, integrity, and commitment to the game make him exceptionally well-suited to lead the committee as it continues its important work throughout the remainder of the season."
The CFP committee had already been operating down a member, with Randall McDaniel stepping away for the 2025-26 season.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Mack Rhoades no longer Baylor athletic director, school announces
