Notre Dame's Athletic Director, Pete Bevacqua, expresses strained relationship with ACC after being snubbed from the College Football Playoff.
Two days after Notre Dame's exclusion from the College Football Playoff, the school's athletic director, Pete Bevacqua, likened the selection committee's treatment of Notre Dame to a game of musical chairs. He stated that the university's relationship with the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) has become strained due to the committee's shifting rankings and the conference's handling of the situation. Bevacqua emphasized that Notre Dame is one of the best teams in college football and should have been included in the 12-team playoff field.
Bevacqua was flabbergasted by social media posts from the ACC in November, which compared the resumes of Miami and Notre Dame, suggesting that Miami, who had narrowly beaten Notre Dame early in the season, had a stronger case for playoff inclusion. This led to Miami earning the final at-large bid, while Notre Dame was left out. Bevacqua believes that the ACC's messaging was flawed and questioned why they would attack a valuable business partner and conference member.
Despite the tension, Bevacqua is open to a productive conversation with ACC leadership, but not immediately. The ACC Commissioner, Jim Phillips, denied any suggestion that Notre Dame was not a worthy candidate for inclusion. Phillips acknowledged the disappointment of Notre Dame players and coaches, while also expressing excitement for Miami's inclusion.
Notre Dame's unique status within college football's structure is highlighted. The school has a media rights deal with NBC, allowing them to remain independent in football, while still having affiliations with the ACC in other sports. This arrangement has led to an awkward dynamic during the playoff selection process, with lobbying efforts reaching the White House. Bevacqua believes the ACC's actions have permanently damaged the relationship between the conference and Notre Dame.
The team's decision to forgo a bowl game after the playoff snub was a controversial one, with some players opting out. Bevacqua confirms a memorandum of understanding with the College Football Playoff, guaranteeing Notre Dame a berth if they are ranked 12th or higher. The school's focus is on ensuring coach Marcus Freeman feels valued and securing his position as a top-tier college football coach.
