Big 12 Conference Chief Labels Notre Dame Comments After CFP Snub as ‘Totally Out of Bounds’
During a strong statement, Brett Yormark declared that Notre Dame athletic director, Pete Bevacqua, was “completely out of bounds” for recent remarks about the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
The Source of the Controversy
Notre Dame maintains a football scheduling alliance with the ACC and is a participating member in other sports. Bevacqua has claimed that the ACC hurt Notre Dame’s chances to make the College Football Playoff, instead campaigning for the selection of the University of Miami.
“They do wonderful things for Notre Dame, but we offer substantial football value to the ACC, and we didn’t understand why you would make an effort to try to undermine us in this process,” the athletic director said.
Miami eventually received the CFP berth over Notre Dame, largely due to securing the direct contest between the two programs. Bevacqua further alleged that the ACC conducted a targeted social media effort over multiple weeks showing its preference for Miami.
An Egregious Response
Later on Tuesday, Yormark spoke about the criticism at the Sports Business Journal’s Intercollegiate Athletics Forum.
“I think his actions has been out of line,” the commissioner stated. “He is completely out of bounds in his tactics and if he was in the room, I’d say to him the same thing.”
The criticism is especially significant given Bevacqua’s prominent position. He serves on the College Football Playoff Management Committee with the ten FBS conference commissioners, advocating for the concerns of football independent Notre Dame.
Historical Support and Future Rumors
Yormark further remarked the lifeline the ACC offered Notre Dame during the pandemic-disrupted 2020 season, giving the Irish a complete ACC schedule and a place in its championship game.
“His behavior has been egregious,” Yormark reiterated. “It’s been unacceptable criticizing Jim Phillips, when they helped Notre Dame during Covid...”
Talk had spread about Notre Dame potentially leaving the ACC and partnering with the Big 12. However, the commissioner's public comments on Tuesday seem to make such a scenario unlikely in the immediate future.
The Irish, who reached the CFP final last season, have announced they are declining a postseason invitation after failing to qualify this season.
