Big 12 Conference Chief Labels Notre Dame Comments Following CFP Omission as ‘Totally Out of Bounds’
In a notable rebuke, Brett Yormark stated that Notre Dame's AD, Pete Bevacqua, was “entirely out of bounds” for recent criticisms concerning the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
Root of the Tension
Notre Dame maintains a football scheduling alliance with the ACC and is a participating member in other sports. The AD has argued that the ACC hurt Notre Dame’s bid to enter the College Football Playoff, instead choosing to advocating for the spot of the University of Miami.
“The ACC do wonderful things for Notre Dame, but we provide significant football value to the ACC, and we didn’t understand why you would go out of your way to try to damage us in this process,” the athletic director remarked.
Miami ultimately earned the CFP spot over Notre Dame, largely due to winning the head-to-head meeting between the two teams. Bevacqua additionally stated that the ACC ran a coordinated social media push over multiple weeks showing its preference for Miami.
An Egregious Response
Later on Tuesday, Yormark responded to the comments at the Sports Business Journal’s Intercollegiate Athletics Forum.
“My opinion is that his actions has been out of line,” Yormark stated. “He is completely out of bounds in his tactics and if he was in the room, I’d tell him the same thing.”
This public response is especially striking given Bevacqua’s unique position. He sits on the College Football Playoff Management Committee alongside the ten FBS conference commissioners, advocating for the concerns of independent Notre Dame.
Historical Context and Future Moves
Yormark also remarked the assistance the ACC provided Notre Dame during the Covid-affected 2020 season, giving the Irish a complete conference schedule and a place in its title game.
“It has been egregious,” he reiterated. “It’s been unacceptable attacking Jim Phillips, when they helped Notre Dame during Covid...”
Speculation had circulated about Notre Dame potentially leaving the ACC and partnering with the Big 12. Yet, Yormark's public comments on Tuesday seem to make such a partnership less likely in the near term.
Notre Dame, who reached the CFP championship game last season, have announced they are declining a postseason invitation after missing out this year.
