Baylor Athletic Director Mack Rhoades Set to Depart Soon
Baylor University is preparing to announce the departure of its athletic director, Mack Rhoades, according to a report from ESPN. Rhoades, who has held the position since July 2016, took a sudden leave of absence for personal reasons last week. The university plans to confirm his exit shortly.
Rhoades’ leave was described by Baylor officials as being for personal reasons, though no further details were provided. In a conversation with ESPN’s Heather Dinich, Rhoades confirmed that he initiated the leave. Alongside his responsibilities at Baylor, he has also stepped down as chair of the College Football Playoff selection committee.
During his tenure at Baylor, Rhoades has been pivotal in shaping the athletic program. He has overseen significant developments, including the hiring of successful coaches such as Matt Rhule and the retention of Scott Drew for the men’s basketball program, which has achieved eight national titles under his leadership. Rhoades’ ability to stabilize the department after the controversial tenure of former football coach Art Briles marked a critical phase in Baylor’s athletic history.
Rhoades played a crucial role in revitalizing the football program, particularly noted for the hiring of Rhule, who led the team out of a challenging period. Under the current head coach, Dave Aranda, the football team claimed the Big 12 title in 2021 and secured a victory against Ole Miss in the Sugar Bowl that same year.
The imminent departure of Rhoades signifies a continuation of instability within Baylor’s athletic department. He becomes the third consecutive athletic director to leave the university under challenging circumstances. Previous directors Ian McCaw and Tom Stanton departed amid controversies related to Briles and former basketball coach Dave Bliss, respectively.
As Baylor prepares for this transition, the focus will be on how the university aims to maintain the momentum built during Rhoades’ tenure while addressing the leadership gaps within its athletic programs. The forthcoming announcement will be closely watched, given the implications for the future of Baylor athletics.
