Baylor AD Mack Rhoades investigated for alleged altercation with player, coach

Baylor Athletics director and School Soccer Playoff chairman Mack Rhoades was on the middle of a faculty investigation into an alleged verbal and bodily altercation involving a soccer participant and assistant coach.

OutKick has spoken to quite a few sources relating to this incident and is defending their identities for worry of future retaliation on this matter.

On September 20, as Baylor ready to play Arizona State in a Massive 12 convention recreation, tight finish Michael Trigg ready to take the sphere for the opening collection towards the Solar Devils. As a part of the uniform that day, Trigg wore a yellow long-sleeved shirt that was used to cowl a brace he wore on his shoulder.

Tight finish Michael Trigg (1) of the Baylor Bears celebrates a landing towards the UCF Knights at McLane Stadium in Waco, Texas, on November 1, 2025. (Richard Rodriguez/Getty Pictures)

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Sources inform OutKick that athletic director Mack Rhoades went as much as Trigg because the ball was kicked off to start out the sport, and as he positioned his palms on the participant, requested him, “Why are you carrying that yellow shirt?” A number of assistants have been current on the sidelines earlier than the sport when this incident occurred, because it occurred in a brief time period.

The timing of this incident was most notable, because the offense was set to take the sphere for the opening drive towards Arizona State. This incident continued all through the sport as assistant coaches tried to calm Michael Trigg down concerning the incident that had occurred simply as Arizona State kicked the ball to Baylor.

Trigg would catch two touchdowns, totaling 71 yards on the day, with Baylor dropping on a last-second discipline objective to Arizona State.

It ought to be famous that former Baylor assistant coach Mason Miller, who left the workforce as a consequence of what Dave Aranda known as a “private matter,” just isn’t the coach AD Mack Rhoades confronted.

It bought worse: Alleged incident after Baylor’s loss to Arizona State

Mack Rhoades, director of athletics on the College of Missouri-Columbia, speaks to the media throughout an on-campus information convention as College of Missouri System President Tim Wolfe resigned amid protests over racial tensions on the college in Columbia, Missouri, on November 9, 2015. (Michael B. Thomas/Getty Pictures)

Instantly after the sport, because the gamers made their approach across the discipline to thank followers and gathered for the varsity track, Mack Rhoades reportedly stood behind Trigg and different coaches. Then the state of affairs took a flip involving an assistant coach.

A number of witnesses inform OutKick that whereas Trigg was along with his household, an assistant coach was visiting his household when AD Mack Rhoades allegedly got here up from behind and grabbed the assistant’s arm after which his shoulder and neck space. In keeping with sources, Rhoades then allegedly verbally confronted the assistant coach, which was witnessed by a number of Baylor employees members inside the athletic division, together with members of the family.

OutKick has obtained HR complaints filed in response to the incident, which have been submitted anonymously to guard their id, and which do make clear the incident in query because it pertains to the coed athlete.

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In keeping with a number of sources, an investigation into the incident was launched, with soccer and athletic division staffers who have been current throughout each situations being questioned concerning the incident.

In the course of the investigation, it was revealed that there was video proof of the alleged incident.

As a result of Baylor is a non-public college, OutKick was unable to acquire this video, which allegedly got here from cameras round McLane Stadium.

Investigation into alleged incidents by Mack Rhoades

The Baylor Bears run onto the sphere earlier than the sport towards the UCF Knights at McLane Stadium in Waco, Texas, on November 1, 2025. (Richard Rodriguez/Getty Pictures)

College officers launched an investigation into the matter, centering on the alleged actions of Mack Rhoades. There have been a number of witnesses to the second incident in query, as a result of AD staff acknowledged that this happened in a public setting and the optics of this is able to not be good.

Initially, Trigg and the assistant coach have been requested to apologize to Rhoades for the incident in query, till members of the athletic division realized it ought to have been the opposite approach round, with Rhoades apologizing to the participant and assistant coach.

There have been over eight individuals who witnessed the alleged incident involving the Athletic Director and Assistant Coach, together with FOX Sports activities tv cameras that might have picked up the alleged incident that occurred because the match started.

We contacted Baylor this morning figuring out the incidents have been below investigation. Baylor’s response indicated that it had been accomplished, and Rhoades was discovered to have executed what was alleged:

“Greater than a month in the past, Baylor College obtained experiences of an incident involving Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Mack Rhoades,” the assertion to OutKick stated. “These experiences have been completely reviewed and investigated in accordance with college coverage, applicable motion has been taken and the matter is now closed. Mr. Rhoades has expressed remorse for his feelings and acknowledges that his conduct on the time was not reflective of our Christian mission and values.”

“Mr. Rhoades is a vital a part of our Baylor household, and we stay up for his continued management of our athletics division. We stay dedicated to offering a respectful and accountable atmosphere for all of our student-athletes, coaches and employees.”

Baylor has not denied our reporting of this story and the incidents that occurred on September 20. In an e-mail to Baylor, Outkick outlined all the main points of the incident in query that they may reply to.

Of their assertion, they don’t deny any accusations made towards Mack Rhoades within the incident reported by OutKick. As for Rhoades’ punishment, the varsity wouldn’t remark additional on the incident.

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OutKick will proceed to comply with this story, particularly given the AD’s bodily contact with a scholar and assistant coach of the Baylor soccer workforce.

Our reporting doesn’t point out that this case is closed to all events. OutKick has additionally contacted the School Soccer Playoff, together with the NCAA, relating to this matter.

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