Rhoades' extension key to Rhule's 'life decision' to stay at Baylor

Baylor head football coach Matt Rhule’s contract extension was announced earlier this week on Sunday evening. Less than three days later, it was Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Mack Rhoades who University President Linda Livingstone publicly announced a contract extension for. 

The life of Rhoades’ new contract is a little longer than that of Rhule’s, extending him through July 31, 2029. Rhule’s recent extension has him in place at Baylor through March 31, 2028. 

When Rhule was named the head coach at Baylor, his familiarity with Rhoades was a big reason he chose to head to Waco over several other options including Oregon. Less than 36 months later things haven’t changed. The news of Rhoades’ extension is one of the reasons why Rhule chose to make his commitment to Baylor long term. 

“I’m thrilled,” Matt Rhule said. “I made the decision to come to Baylor for a lot of reasons. One of the biggest one for Julie and I was Mack Rhoades and knowing him and having a lot of confidence in him.”

He added, “It was a key factor when they presented the opportunity for that contract. That decision, that’s a big life decision for Julie and I. A key factor was knowing Mack would be here. Having the chance to work for Mack and then Linda Livingstone I think is as good of a situation as there is in the country.”

His personal relationship with Rhoades is a strong one, but seeing the relationship between his players and the third-year athletic director has been a sign of of confirmation for Rhule.

“He’s an elite athletic director,” Rhule said. “He gives us everything that we need, he pushes us to think outside of the box and think differently, but at the same time he lets me do my job.

“He’s been there with us in the trenches. I always think you know if a guy is a good athletic director if the players know he is when he walks by and our guys all know Mr. Rhoades.”