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Barack Obama is One of the Worst Presidents Ever So Far…For Tennessee Vols Athletics

By Caleb Calhoun

Jan 12, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; President Barack Obama after delivering the State of the Union address from the House chamber of the United States Capitol in Washington. Mandatory Credit: Andrew P. Scott-USA TODAY Network
Jan 12, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; President Barack Obama after delivering the State of the Union address from the House chamber of the United States Capitol in Washington. Mandatory Credit: Andrew P. Scott-USA TODAY Network /
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May, 1984; Washington, D.C., USA; President Ronald Reagan and singer Michael Jackson and first lady Nancy Reagan are seen during a ceremony at the White House Mandatory Credit: Tim Dillon – USA TODAY NETWORK
May, 1984; Washington, D.C., USA; President Ronald Reagan and singer Michael Jackson and first lady Nancy Reagan are seen during a ceremony at the White House Mandatory Credit: Tim Dillon – USA TODAY NETWORK /

8. Ronald Reagan, 1981-1989

Just like Dwight Eisenhower, Tennessee Vols athletics under Ronald Reagan is very much a mixed back. Let’s start with football.

From 1981 to 1984, during his first term, Tennessee had a solid football program that produced a ton of legends with NFL talent. But there were no Top 25 finishes or conference championships. Add in the dismal 5-6 record of 1988, his final year, and there’s not too much to celebrate. However, he also was president during the 1985 Tennessee Sugar Vols, a Top 5 SEC Championship team that beat the Miami Hurricanes in the Sugar Bowl. This is one of the most beloved teams in school history. That’s a huge boost to his football resume as president. And other things helped him out a lot.

Under Reagan, the Men’s basketball program also saw great success with Don DeVoe as head coach, including three NCAA Tournament appearances, an SEC Regular Season Championship, and the school’s first Sweet 16 appearance in history. The second half of his tenure was terrible with Men’s basketball, but the first half was so good that it can be deemed a success.

Meanwhile, Women’s basketball began to pick up steam under Pat Summitt, and the program under Reagan reached five Final Fours and captured its first national championship in 1987.

Add in a national title in Women’s Outdoor Track & Field, and you’ve got two national titles, and SEC Title in football, and an SEC Title in basketball. That’s actually pretty successful.

Next: #7: George Bush Sr.

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