Big 12 Conference Commissioner Calls Notre Dame Remarks Following CFP Snub as ‘Completely Out of Bounds’
During a strong rebuke, Brett Yormark stated that Notre Dame's athletic director, Pete Bevacqua, was “completely out of bounds” for public remarks concerning the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
Root of the Controversy
Notre Dame has a football scheduling alliance with the ACC and is a participating member in all other sports. Bevacqua has argued 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 great things for Notre Dame, but we bring tremendous football value to the ACC, and we couldn't comprehend why you would make an effort to try to hurt us in this selection,” the athletic director remarked.
The Hurricanes ultimately received the CFP invitation over Notre Dame, mostly due to winning the head-to-head matchup between the two programs. Notre Dame's AD further alleged that the ACC engaged in a targeted social media campaign over several 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 conduct has been egregious,” Yormark commented. “He is completely out of bounds in his method and if he was in the same room, I’d say to him the same thing.”
The pushback is especially striking given Bevacqua’s prominent standing. He serves on the College Football Playoff Management Committee alongside the ten FBS conference commissioners, advocating for the concerns of independent Notre Dame.
Historical Context and Speculative Rumors
The commissioner also remarked the assistance the ACC offered Notre Dame in the Covid-affected 2020 season, giving the Irish a complete ACC schedule and a place in its championship game.
“It has been unacceptable,” Yormark reiterated. “It’s been unacceptable going after Jim Phillips, when they saved Notre Dame during Covid...”
Rumors had spread about Notre Dame possibly splitting with the ACC and partnering with the Big 12. Yet, the commissioner's public comments on Tuesday appear to make such a move highly improbable in the near term.
The Irish, who made the CFP championship game last season, have stated they plan to decline a postseason invitation after failing to qualify this year.
