Missouri Hires Houston's Mack Rhoades To Replace Mike Alden As AD

Missouri today named Houston AD Mack Rhoades to the same position, replacing Mike Alden, who is stepping down in August. Rhoades will begin in late April (UM). CBSSPORTS.com's Dennis Dodd cited sources as saying that Rhoades was chosen "after other candidates dropped out." Ole Miss AD Ross Bjork reportedly "took his name out of the running over the weekend." A source said that Texas A&M Senior AD/External Affairs Jason Cook "would not be getting the job." Rhoades is "considered one of the most dynamic administrators in the country." In the last two years, he "has hired championship-winning coaches in basketball and football." Rhoades arrived at UH in June '09, "successfully guiding the athletic department from Conference USA to the American Athletic Conference during realignment." Rhoades also was "instrumental in raising funds" for the $120M TDECU Stadium that was completed in August (CBSSPORTS.com, 3/8). UH System Board of Regents Chair Tilman Fertitta said of Rhoades, "It was his opportunity to go to an SEC school. He didn't want to pass it up" (MYFOXHOUSTON.com, 3/9). In Columbia, David Morrison writes Missouri Chancellor R. Bowen Loftin "has been leading the search for Alden's successor," though the school also retained search firm Korn/Ferry to "help keep the search confidential." Loftin reportedly "considered Rhoades" for the Texas A&M AD opening in '12 -- when Loftin was chancellor there (COLUMBIA DAILY TRIBUNE, 3/9).