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At a notable criticism, Big 12 chief stated that Notre Dame's athletic director, Pete Bevacqua, was “totally out of bounds” for public remarks targeting the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).

Root of the Controversy

Notre Dame maintains a football scheduling alliance with the ACC and is a full member in other sports. The AD has contended that the ACC hurt Notre Dame’s bid to enter the College Football Playoff, instead campaigning for the spot of the University of Miami.

“The ACC does great things for Notre Dame, but we bring tremendous football value to the ACC, and we didn’t understand why you would go out of your way to try to hurt us in this procedure,” Bevacqua stated.

The Hurricanes eventually secured the CFP invitation over Notre Dame, mostly due to securing the direct meeting between the two teams. Bevacqua further alleged that the ACC ran a coordinated social media push over several weeks indicating its support for Miami.

A Strong Reaction

Later on Tuesday, the Big 12 commissioner addressed the criticism at the Sports Business Journal’s Intercollegiate Athletics Forum.

“I think his actions has been egregious,” Yormark commented. “He is totally out of bounds in his approach and if he was in the room, I’d say to him the same thing.”

This public criticism is especially significant given Bevacqua’s unique role. He serves on the College Football Playoff Management Committee alongside the ten FBS conference commissioners, advocating for the interests of football independent Notre Dame.

Past Context and Future Rumors

Yormark further highlighted the support the ACC offered Notre Dame in the pandemic-disrupted 2020 season, giving the Irish a complete conference schedule and a berth in its championship game.

“It has been egregious,” he said again. “It’s been egregious criticizing the ACC commissioner, when they saved Notre Dame during Covid...”

Rumors had spread about Notre Dame potentially leaving the ACC and partnering with the Big 12. Yet, Yormark's pointed reprimand on Tuesday seem to make such a scenario highly improbable in the near term.

The Irish, who made the CFP championship game last season, have announced they are declining a postseason invitation after failing to qualify this season.