Big 12 Conference Chief Labels Notre Dame Remarks After CFP Snub as ‘Completely Out of Bounds’
At a strong statement, Brett Yormark asserted that Notre Dame athletic director, Pete Bevacqua, was “completely out of bounds” for public remarks about the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
The Source of the Tension
Notre Dame has a gridiron scheduling agreement with the ACC and is a participating member in all other sports. Bevacqua has contended that the ACC hurt Notre Dame’s chances to make the College Football Playoff, instead choosing to campaigning for the inclusion of the University of Miami.
“They does wonderful things for Notre Dame, but we bring significant football value to the ACC, and we couldn't comprehend why you would go out of your way to try to hurt us in this selection,” Bevacqua stated.
The Hurricanes ultimately earned the CFP spot over Notre Dame, mostly due to winning the head-to-head meeting between the two schools. Bevacqua additionally stated that the ACC engaged in a targeted social media campaign over multiple weeks indicating its preference for Miami.
A Strong Response
Later on Tuesday, Yormark responded to the criticism at the Sports Business Journal’s Intercollegiate Athletics Forum.
“In my view his conduct has been egregious,” Yormark commented. “He is totally out of bounds in his approach and if he was in the same room, I’d say to him the same thing.”
The pushback is particularly notable given Bevacqua’s unique role. He serves on the College Football Playoff Management Committee with the ten FBS conference commissioners, representing the interests of independent Notre Dame.
Historical Support and Speculative Moves
Yormark further highlighted the assistance the ACC offered Notre Dame in the pandemic-disrupted 2020 season, providing the Irish a complete ACC schedule and a place in its title game.
“His behavior has been egregious,” Yormark said again. “It’s been egregious going after Jim Phillips, when they saved Notre Dame during Covid...”
Talk had circulated about Notre Dame potentially splitting with the ACC and aligning with the Big 12. Yet, the commissioner's pointed reprimand on Tuesday appear to make such a partnership highly improbable in the near term.
The Irish, who reached the CFP final last season, have indicated they will decline a postseason invitation after failing to qualify this season.
