Baylor AD Takes Leave of Absence Following Controversy
Baylor University’s athletic director, Mac Rhoades, has officially announced he will be taking a leave of absence. This decision comes days after reports surfaced that he allegedly groped a player prior to a game against Arizona State and had a heated argument with an assistant coach.
Interestingly, this development followed closely after his appearance on a College Football Playoff rankings show, where he didn’t comment on recent controversies related to his work. I guess it’s tough to ignore those allegations, right?
Rhoades found himself at the center of an investigation concerning various physical and verbal altercations involving football players and assistant coaches. Just recently, a new complaint was lodged against the university, dated November 10, although it appears to be unrelated to Title IX, student welfare, or NCAA regulations. He seems to have no direct ties to the football program at the moment.
Details on Incidents
The situation surrounding Rhoades has escalated over the past month, particularly noted by his absence at a major booster dinner this past Wednesday. Conversations among involved parties indicate a lot of concern but, understandably, many prefer to stay anonymous to avoid potential backlash.
On September 20, while preparing for the Arizona State game, tight end Michael Trigg was getting ready to go. He wore a yellow long-sleeved shirt to conceal a shoulder brace. Allegedly, Rhoades approached him just as the game was about to kick off and questioned, “What are you wearing that yellow shirt for?” The timing of this was, well, quite peculiar given the circumstances.
After this incident, things got even murkier. Reports suggest that Rhoades confronted an assistant coach in front of athletic staff and the coach’s family, leading to more disputes. Witnesses report he came up from behind the assistant coach, grabbed him by the arm, and then continued to criticize him verbally. It’s said there’s video evidence confirming this from various angles, which is troubling.
Investigation Underway
An anonymous complaint regarding the incident with Trigg has now initiated a formal investigation. This means that staff members who were present during both incidents are being questioned. The university has confirmed that Rhoades regrets allowing his emotions to dictate his actions and has taken steps regarding his removal from the program, although details remain sparse.
Current university officials are focusing their investigation on the allegations against Rhoades. With multiple witnesses to the incidents, the implications are serious, and the public nature of his actions complicates matters further.
For the time being, the athletic department will be managed by co-interim athletic directors Jovan Overshorn and Cody Hall. OutKick has reached out to the College Football Playoff Committee to gather any additional comments on this developing story.
