Houston athletic director Mack Rhoades has emerged as the frontrunner for the University of Missouri Athletic Director job.

Houston athletic director Mack Rhoades has emerged as the frontrunner for the University of Missouri Athletic Director job, according to a source with direct knowledge of the situation. He could be announced as Missouri’s next athletic director as early as tomorrow.

Rhoades has been at Houston for the past five years, where he recently hired former Ohio State assistant Tom Herman as football coach and former Indiana Coach Kelvin Sampson in basketball. He’ll replace Mike Alden, who stepped down at Missouri in January.

Rhoades has some familiarity with Missouri President R. Bowen Loftin, as he emerged as a candidate for the Texas A&M athletic director in 2012 job while Loftin was the president there. He never interviewed for the job, but a familiarity exists.

According to sources, Missouri’s targets included Ole Miss Athletic Director Ross Bjork, who ultimately declined interest.