Big 12 Conference Commissioner Calls Notre Dame Remarks After CFP Snub as ‘Totally Out of Bounds’
During a strong rebuke, Brett Yormark asserted that Notre Dame's AD, Pete Bevacqua, was “totally out of bounds” for public criticisms targeting the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
The Source of the Tension
The Fighting Irish maintains 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 opportunities to enter the College Football Playoff, instead advocating for the inclusion of the University of Miami.
“They do great things for Notre Dame, but we offer substantial football value to the ACC, and we couldn't comprehend why you would go out of your way to try to undermine us in this selection,” the athletic director stated.
Miami ultimately received the CFP invitation over Notre Dame, largely due to winning the head-to-head meeting between the two teams. Notre Dame's AD also claimed that the ACC ran a targeted social media campaign over multiple weeks demonstrating its preference for Miami.
A Strong Rebuke
Subsequently on Tuesday, Yormark addressed the comments at the Sports Business Journal’s Intercollegiate Athletics Forum.
“My opinion is that his conduct has been egregious,” Yormark said. “He is completely out of bounds in his tactics and if he was in the same room, I’d say to him the same thing.”
This public response is especially striking 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.
Past Support and Future Moves
The commissioner further remarked the lifeline the ACC provided Notre Dame during the Covid-affected 2020 season, giving the Irish a full conference schedule and a place in its title game.
“His behavior has been unacceptable,” he said again. “It’s been egregious going after Jim Phillips, when they rescued Notre Dame during Covid...”
Rumors had circulated about Notre Dame potentially splitting with the ACC and partnering with the Big 12. Yet, the commissioner's strong comments on Tuesday seem to make such a move highly improbable in the near term.
Notre Dame, who made the CFP championship game last season, have indicated they are declining a postseason invitation after failing to qualify this season.