Big 12 Commissioner Calls Notre Dame Comments After CFP Snub as ‘Totally Out of Bounds’

In a strong rebuke, Brett Yormark stated that Notre Dame athletic director, Pete Bevacqua, was “completely out of bounds” for recent remarks about the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).

The Source of the Tension

The Fighting Irish maintains a football scheduling alliance with the ACC and is a participating member in other sports. Bevacqua has claimed that the ACC hurt Notre Dame’s chances to make the College Football Playoff, instead pushing for the selection of the University of Miami.

“They does 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 damage us in this selection,” Bevacqua said.

The Hurricanes ultimately secured the CFP invitation over Notre Dame, largely due to winning the head-to-head meeting between the two teams. Bevacqua further alleged that the ACC conducted a targeted social media campaign over multiple weeks showing its preference for Miami.

An Egregious Rebuke

Later on Tuesday, Yormark addressed the comments at the Sports Business Journal’s Intercollegiate Athletics Forum.

“I think his actions has been unacceptable,” the commissioner commented. “He is completely out of bounds in his method and if he was in the room, I’d say to him the same thing.”

This public response is particularly significant given Bevacqua’s unique standing. He serves on the College Football Playoff Management Committee with the ten FBS conference commissioners, representing the concerns of independent Notre Dame.

Past Support and Future Rumors

Yormark also highlighted the support the ACC offered Notre Dame in the Covid-affected 2020 season, providing the Irish a full conference schedule and a place in its championship game.

“His behavior has been egregious,” he said again. “It’s been unacceptable going after Jim Phillips, when they rescued Notre Dame during Covid...”

Speculation had circulated about Notre Dame possibly splitting with the ACC and aligning with the Big 12. However, the commissioner's pointed reprimand on Tuesday appear to make such a partnership highly improbable in the immediate future.

The Irish, who reached the CFP final last season, have announced they are declining a bowl game after missing out this year.