What the resignation of Baylor’s athletic director means for the university
As expected, Baylor University and athletic director Mack Rhoades have come to agreement to end his time there.
Baylor announced on Thursday that Rhoades has resigned from a position he held for the past nine years. His bio was removed from the school’s website late Thursday.
On Nov. 10, Rhoades stepped down as the chairman of the College Football Playoff selection committee because he was taking a leave as Baylor’s AD. He was under investigation by the school for violating its “faith based policies.” The original timeline was a four-week investigation period.
According to people familiar with the situation, his exit was a formality, and delayed only as the parties negotiated a settlement.
Rhoades said in a statement provided by Baylor: “The past nine years serving as the Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics at Baylor University have been among the greatest joys of my professional life. However, 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.”
What the exact violations were are rumor and university-gossip, but what is known is that this move signals major changes are ahead for the Baylor athletic department. Rhoades’ departure all but guarantees that football coach Dave Aranda will not be back next season.
Rhoades hired Aranda to replace Matt Rhule in 2020, and while the initial results were encouraging the football team has gone flat.
The Bears are 5-5, and tied for ninth place in the Big 12. There is a good chance they will miss a bowl, and finish with a losing record for the fourth time in six seasons under Aranda.
The program has fallen far behind instate rivals Texas, Texas A&M, Houston, Texas Tech, SMU, TCU and, at least this season, North Texas. Aranda has defeated TCU once in his tenure.
Baylor has invested the money in its athletic department, and like every other school in the ACC and Big 12, operates from a feeling of uncertainty about the future of major college athletics. It can’t afford to fall too far behind, or swim in national irrelevance.
Rhoades was hired in 2016 to succeed Ian McCaw, and in Rhoades’ tenure the athletic department enjoyed several successful seasons in multiple sports. This included a national title for the men’s basketball program under Scott Drew, a national title for the women’s basketball team under former coach Kim Mulkey, and a Sugar Bowl win under Aranda.
In his career, Rhoades received multiple awards as national athletic director of the year.
“I want to thank each and every one of the student-athletes who wore the green and gold, made us proud every day, and represented the very best of us. They are all, truly, champions for life,” Rhoades said in a statement. “The incredible community that is the Baylor family is the absolute best of the best. Together, we won national championships, established records in academics and fundraising, and built world-class facilities. I will forever cherish the memories and friendships I made as a Baylor Bear.
“I know that whatever the future holds, God has a great plan for Baylor in it. May He continue to bless the university and each individual associated with it.”
This fall did not start well. The Bears lost 38-24 in the season opener in Waco against what turned out to be a bad Auburn team. After rallying to win at SMU in double overtime in Week 2, the team has struggled.
The football team isn’t winning, and McLane Stadium has plenty of seats available for home games. There was a sideline incident over a uniform between Rhoades and a member of the football team.
Whatever the specifics behind Rhoades’ exit, it is an unfortunate conclusion to a good tenure for an administrator.
It also says that Baylor is preparing for bigger changes in its athletic department.
This story was originally published November 20, 2025 at 7:09 PM.
