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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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Oct 25, 2014; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers Vol Walk stadium entrance prior to the game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 25, 2014; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers Vol Walk stadium entrance prior to the game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports /

12. Gerald Ford, 1974-1977

The 1970s was a tumultuous time for Tennessee athletics and politics in this country, and Gerald Ford was right in the thick of both, with his presidency spanning right smack in the middle of the decade. To be fair to Ford, he only had three years in office as president. But quite honestly, it was not a great three years for the Vols.

The football program was a consistently sinking ship under Bill Battle, and after a Top 20 ranking from a 7-3-1 finish in 1974, Tennessee fell to 7-5 and 6-5 in 1975 and 1976, unranked both times.

Fortunately for Ford, men’s basketball was very good for the Vols during this time, as they went 18-8 in 1974-1975 and 21-6 with an NCAA Tournament appearance and Top 15 finish in 1975-1976, as Tennessee thrived under Ray Mears. That is what helps to keep him from being last on this list.

But it does not cut it too much for him since, as we all know, football is king and the most important thing on campus. And the program got worse under Ford.

Moving further along, Ford also was president when the Tennessee women’s basketball program began. Pat Summitt became the program’s first coach in 1974-1975. But that does not help his case since her two worst seasons with the Lady Vols were those first two years, the years of his presidencies.

No championships being won on top of that make this a dull year for Tennessee athletics. But in fairness to him, things were not much better for the Vols under his successor.

Next: #11: Barack Obama

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