"TP: It was a rather incredible accomplishment to pull off what you did with the ACC this year in terms of expanding games against ACC teams and actually being a part of the conference championship scenario.

What’s the future of Notre Dame’s relationship as a football partner?

Obligatory question: All things being equal, is Notre Dame committed to being an independent in football again in 2021?


JS: With all things in our relationship with the ACC, from day one, it’s worked and it’s been great because it’s always been to the benefit of both parties.

This year is no different. I state it often. I can’t express strongly enough how good a partner the conference has been, and especially John Swofford, Commissioner Swofford. I think we’ve been a great partner, too. I hope John would say the same about us.

We remain committed to football independence. But as it relates to next year, it’s just impossible to even consider ‘all things being equal.’ It’s all so in flux.

Do we remain committed to independence in football? Yes.

But there are a lot of miles to go in the next few months before we can determine that we’re going to be able to go back to a normal schedule.

For example, is a conference going to say, ‘Boy, we really like this conference-only schedule. Let’s stick with it.’ There are just too many outside pieces of data we still have to get.

But we remain committed to football independence long-term."