Big 12 Conference Chief Calls Notre Dame Remarks Following CFP Omission as ‘Completely Out of Bounds’
In a notable criticism, Big 12 Conference commissioner stated that Notre Dame athletic director, Pete Bevacqua, was “totally out of bounds” for public remarks about the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
The Source of the Tension
Notre Dame has a football scheduling alliance with the ACC and is a participating member in other sports. The AD has claimed that the ACC hurt Notre Dame’s opportunities to make the College Football Playoff, instead choosing to advocating for the inclusion of the University of Miami.
“The ACC do wonderful things for Notre Dame, but we provide substantial football value to the ACC, and we didn’t understand why you would make an effort to try to hurt us in this selection,” the athletic director remarked.
Miami eventually received the CFP berth over Notre Dame, mostly due to securing the direct contest between the two programs. Notre Dame's AD additionally stated that the ACC conducted a coordinated social media effort over several weeks demonstrating its preference for Miami.
A Strong Rebuke
Subsequently on Tuesday, Yormark responded to the allegations at the Sports Business Journal’s Intercollegiate Athletics Forum.
“In my view his behavior has been egregious,” the commissioner commented. “He is totally out of bounds in his tactics and if he was in the same room, I’d tell him the same thing.”
The 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 football independent Notre Dame.
Historical Support and Future Rumors
The commissioner also remarked the support the ACC provided Notre Dame in the Covid-affected 2020 season, providing the Irish a complete conference schedule and a place in its title game.
“His behavior has been egregious,” he said again. “It’s been egregious criticizing Jim Phillips, when they helped Notre Dame during Covid...”
Rumors had circulated about Notre Dame possibly leaving the ACC and aligning with the Big 12. However, the commissioner's public reprimand on Tuesday seem to make such a scenario unlikely in the immediate future.
The Irish, who reached the CFP championship game last season, have stated they will decline a bowl game after failing to qualify this year.
