Notre Dame AD Swarbrick denies rumors of joining ACC

Despite whispers to the contrary, it appears Notre Dame won't be joining the ACC as a full-time member any time soon.

Irish athletic director Jack Swarbrick addressed the rumors Tuesday, and denied the program was in talks to join the conference.

"Absolutely not true," Swarbrick told Matt Murschel of the Orlando Sentinel. "We love the ACC but we love our relationship the way it is and there hasn't been any discussion."

Notre Dame will play five ACC teams in 2017 but officially remains an Independent program. With the ACC Network set to launch in 2019, some may have felt the Irish could take advantage of the television money, but Notre Dame is currently in a decent spot on that front with its NBC deal.

Brian Kelly's team also boasts a good enough schedule every year to contend for a playoff spot, so there seems to be little urgency at the moment to leave its independent status.