Big 12 Chief Calls Notre Dame Comments Following CFP Omission as ‘Totally Out of Bounds’
At a notable rebuke, Brett Yormark declared that Notre Dame's athletic director, Pete Bevacqua, was “totally out of bounds” for recent comments concerning the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
The Source of the Controversy
Notre Dame has a gridiron scheduling agreement with the ACC and is a full member in all other sports. Bevacqua has contended that the ACC hurt Notre Dame’s bid to make the College Football Playoff, instead campaigning for the spot of the University of Miami.
“They do wonderful things for Notre Dame, but we provide significant football value to the ACC, and we couldn't comprehend why you would make an effort to try to damage us in this selection,” the athletic director said.
The Hurricanes eventually secured the CFP berth over Notre Dame, largely due to securing the head-to-head meeting between the two teams. Notre Dame's AD additionally stated that the ACC ran a targeted social media campaign over multiple weeks indicating its preference for Miami.
An Egregious Rebuke
Subsequently on Tuesday, Yormark responded to the allegations at the Sports Business Journal’s Intercollegiate Athletics Forum.
“I think his conduct has been out of line,” the commissioner stated. “He is totally out of bounds in his tactics and if he was in the room, I’d tell him the same thing.”
The pushback is particularly significant given Bevacqua’s unique position. He serves on the College Football Playoff Management Committee alongside the ten FBS conference commissioners, advocating for the concerns of football independent Notre Dame.
Past Context and Future Moves
The commissioner also pointed out the assistance the ACC offered Notre Dame in the pandemic-disrupted 2020 season, giving the Irish a complete conference schedule and a place in its championship game.
“It has been unacceptable,” he said again. “It’s been unacceptable criticizing Jim Phillips, when they rescued Notre Dame during Covid...”
Speculation had spread about Notre Dame possibly leaving the ACC and partnering with the Big 12. However, the commissioner's strong reprimand on Tuesday seem to make such a partnership highly improbable in the immediate future.
The Irish, who reached the CFP final last season, have stated they plan to decline a bowl game after missing out this season.