Is It Time For The ACC To Let The Irish Go?
TL;DR
The ACC is considering whether to give Notre Dame an ultimatum regarding their conference membership. The discussion follows a recent column by Mike DeCourcy, highlighting the ongoing debate about the Irish's role in the ACC.
Key points
- ACC is debating Notre Dame's commitment to the conference
- Mike DeCourcy recently wrote about this issue
- Discussion centers on whether to give Notre Dame an ultimatum
Mentioned in this story
SOUTH BEND, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 24: Carson Towt #33 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish wraps up Patrick Ngongba #21 of the Duke Blue Devils as they reach for a rebound during the first half at Purcell Pavilion on February 24, 2026 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) | Getty Images
First of all, the column weâre going to discuss is by Mike DeCourcy, and since he had announced his retirement just prior to the Final Four, weâre really happy to see heâs still writing.
His recent column about the ACC and Notre Dame is definitely worth your time. The premise: should the conference tell the Irish get in or get out?
Itâs an interesting question.
Our feelings about the Irish started to shift recently when the A.D., Pete Bevacqua, complained that the ACC didnât do enough to help Notre Dame make the playoffs.
He made some really snarky remarks, saying that the relationship had been permanently damaged, or words to that effect. Apparently he forgot that during the pandemic, the ACC happily filled Notre Dameâs open dates, thus rescuing their entire season.
But what was ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips and his office supposed to do? Promote an Independent in football ahead of ACC teams? That was ludicrous on Bevacquaâs part. If Notre Dame wants to be independent in football, then making your own case for football is part of that deal.
To add to the frustration, Notre Dame isnât supporting other teams nearly as much as it supports football. And honestly, we get that. Notre Dame football is a majestic tradition.
But theyâve let basketball wither on the vine. Have you seen what Micah Shrewsberry pulled out of the portal? We donât know anything about the individual players yet. Maybe theyâre all rising stars. But theyâre coming from Winthrop, Penn, Davidson, Rutgers, and Gonzaga.
Gonzaga is the exception here, but what this list tells us overall is that Notre Dame isnât giving Shrewsberry much to work with.
The great value of Notre Dame is Irish football. Everyone understands that. But DeCourcy might be right. It might be time to tell Notre Dame that if they arenât willing to be a full member, then maybe look around. Because without football, Notre Dame doesnât offer much more than Vanderbilt or Rice.
Maybe the league could replace them with UConn, if the Huskies are still interested.
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Q&A
Why is the ACC considering an ultimatum for Notre Dame?
The ACC is contemplating an ultimatum for Notre Dame to either fully commit to the conference or leave, as discussed in Mike DeCourcy's recent column.
What are the implications of Notre Dame leaving the ACC?
If Notre Dame were to leave the ACC, it could significantly impact the conference's competitiveness and television contracts, as the Irish are a prominent program.
Who is Mike DeCourcy and what did he say about Notre Dame and the ACC?
Mike DeCourcy is a sports columnist who recently addressed the relationship between Notre Dame and the ACC, suggesting that the conference should demand a clear commitment from the Irish.
