WACO, Texas (AP) — Baylor athletic director Mack Rhoades has stepped down from his role as chairman of the College Football Playoff selection committee and is taking a leave of absence from the school.
The school said in a statement Thursday that Rhoades’ leave was for personal reasons, and went into effect Wednesday. The school provided no other details and declined further comment.
Rhoades was in his first season as chairman of the CFP committee that determines the rankings for the 12-team playoff. The CFP confirmed Rhoades was stepping down from the committee but didn’t immediately respond to how his role of chairman would be filled for the remainder of this season.
OutKick first reported earlier this month that Rhoades was part of a school investigation into an alleged verbal and physical altercation with a football player and assistant coach. It wasn’t immediately clear whether that was related to his stepping down and taking a leave of absence.
The outlet reported Rhoades approached tight end Michael Trigg before a home game Sept. 20 at Arizona State and put his hands on the player, while using expletives in asking why he was wearing a long-sleeved yellow shirt under his uniform. Then after the game, according to the report, Rhoades was behind Trigg and some coaches when the AD allegedly grabbed an assistant coach and verbally accosted him.