Big 12 Commissioner Labels Notre Dame Comments After CFP Omission as ‘Totally Out of Bounds’
In a strong criticism, Brett Yormark asserted that Notre Dame's athletic director, Pete Bevacqua, was “completely out of bounds” for recent criticisms about the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
The Source of the Controversy
The Fighting Irish has a football scheduling alliance with the ACC and is a full member in other sports. The AD has argued that the ACC hurt Notre Dame’s bid to qualify for the College Football Playoff, instead advocating for the inclusion of the University of Miami.
“They do wonderful things for Notre Dame, but we provide tremendous 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 procedure,” Bevacqua said.
Miami eventually secured the CFP berth over Notre Dame, largely due to winning the head-to-head meeting between the two programs. Bevacqua further alleged that the ACC ran a coordinated social media push over several weeks indicating its preference for Miami.
A Strong Response
Later on Tuesday, Yormark responded to the comments at the Sports Business Journal’s Intercollegiate Athletics Forum.
“In my view his conduct has been out of line,” Yormark commented. “He is totally out of bounds in his method and if he was in the same room, I’d tell him the same thing.”
This public pushback is especially striking given Bevacqua’s unique position. He sits on the College Football Playoff Management Committee with the ten FBS conference commissioners, advocating for the concerns of independent Notre Dame.
Historical Support and Speculative Rumors
The commissioner further highlighted the support the ACC offered Notre Dame in the pandemic-disrupted 2020 season, giving the Irish a full ACC schedule and a berth in its title game.
“His behavior has been unacceptable,” Yormark reiterated. “It’s been unacceptable attacking the ACC commissioner, when they rescued Notre Dame during Covid...”
Rumors had circulated about Notre Dame potentially leaving the ACC and aligning with the Big 12. Yet, the commissioner's pointed reprimand on Tuesday seem to make such a partnership less likely in the immediate future.
Notre Dame, who reached the CFP championship game last season, have indicated they plan to decline a postseason invitation after missing out this season.
