Big 12 Conference Chief Calls Notre Dame Comments Following CFP Snub as ‘Completely Out of Bounds’
At a strong rebuke, Brett Yormark stated that Notre Dame athletic director, Pete Bevacqua, was “entirely out of bounds” for his criticisms targeting the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
The Source of the Controversy
The Fighting Irish has a gridiron scheduling agreement with the ACC and is a full member in other sports. The AD has contended that the ACC actively damaged Notre Dame’s bid to qualify for the College Football Playoff, instead choosing to campaigning for the selection of the University of Miami.
“The ACC does wonderful things for Notre Dame, but we provide significant football value to the ACC, and we didn’t understand why you would make an effort to try to damage us in this selection,” the athletic director remarked.
Miami eventually received the CFP invitation over Notre Dame, primarily due to winning the head-to-head matchup between the two schools. Bevacqua further alleged that the ACC engaged in a targeted social media push over several weeks showing its preference for Miami.
A Strong Reaction
Subsequently on Tuesday, Yormark responded to the allegations at the Sports Business Journal’s Intercollegiate Athletics Forum.
“My opinion is that his behavior has been out of line,” the commissioner stated. “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.”
This public criticism is especially significant given Bevacqua’s prominent standing. He serves on the College Football Playoff Management Committee alongside the ten FBS conference commissioners, representing the interests of football independent Notre Dame.
Historical Support and Future Rumors
The commissioner also remarked the lifeline the ACC provided Notre Dame during the Covid-affected 2020 season, giving the Irish a full ACC schedule and a place in its title game.
“His behavior has been egregious,” he reiterated. “It’s been egregious attacking Jim Phillips, when they saved Notre Dame during Covid...”
Talk had circulated about Notre Dame potentially leaving the ACC and aligning with the Big 12. However, Yormark's pointed reprimand on Tuesday seem to make such a move less likely in the immediate future.
The Irish, who made the CFP final last season, have stated they are declining a postseason invitation after failing to qualify this season.
