Big 12 Commissioner Calls Notre Dame Comments Following CFP Snub as ‘Totally Out of Bounds’
In a public criticism, Brett Yormark asserted that Notre Dame's athletic director, Pete Bevacqua, was “entirely out of bounds” for recent remarks targeting the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
Root of the Controversy
The Fighting Irish maintains a football scheduling alliance with the ACC and is a full member in all other sports. Bevacqua has argued that the ACC harmed Notre Dame’s opportunities to make the College Football Playoff, instead pushing for the selection of the University of Miami.
“The ACC do great 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 hurt us in this procedure,” Bevacqua remarked.
The Hurricanes ultimately received the CFP spot over Notre Dame, largely due to securing the head-to-head meeting between the two schools. Bevacqua further alleged that the ACC conducted a coordinated social media push over multiple weeks indicating its support for Miami.
A Strong Response
Subsequently on Tuesday, Yormark responded to the criticism at the Sports Business Journal’s Intercollegiate Athletics Forum.
“I think his behavior has been egregious,” Yormark said. “He is totally out of bounds in his tactics and if he was in the same room, I’d say to him the same thing.”
This public criticism is especially notable given Bevacqua’s special role. He serves on the College Football Playoff Management Committee with the ten FBS conference commissioners, representing the concerns of independent Notre Dame.
Past Context and Speculative Moves
Yormark also remarked the support the ACC gave Notre Dame during the pandemic-disrupted 2020 season, providing the Irish a complete conference schedule and a place in its championship game.
“It has been unacceptable,” he reiterated. “It’s been unacceptable going after the ACC commissioner, when they rescued Notre Dame during Covid...”
Rumors had circulated about Notre Dame possibly leaving the ACC and partnering with the Big 12. However, Yormark's strong reprimand on Tuesday seem to make such a scenario unlikely in the immediate future.
Notre Dame, who made the CFP championship game last season, have announced they plan to decline a bowl game after missing out this season.
