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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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Jun 10, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; U.S. former President Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalynn watch the first inning of the game between the Atlanta Braves and the San Diego Padres at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 10, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; U.S. former President Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalynn watch the first inning of the game between the Atlanta Braves and the San Diego Padres at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /

10. Jimmy Carter, 1977-1981

The football program in the modern era was at its worst in history under Jimmy Carter’s presidency. Yes, it was even worse than it was under John F. Kennedy Jr.

With Johnny Majors taking over, the Vols had what remains their worst season in history by going 4-7 in 1977. They then went 5-5-1 in 1978 before going 7-5 in 1979, and in Carter’s last year, they were 5-6. If You’re keeping score at home, that means one bowl appearance in four years, only one winning season, two losing seasons, and no final top 25 appearances with an overall 21-23-1 record.

So how could he be higher than Gerald Ford or John F. Kennedy? Well, he gets some help from the other sports. In men’s basketball, the Vols captured a share of the SEC Title in 1977 and finished 22-6 with an NCAA Tournament appearance and a Top 15 ranking. Then, after an illness forced Ray Mears into retirement, Don DeVoe came two years later and led the Vols to two more NCAA Tournament appearances.

Meanwhile, women’s basketball picked up under Pat Summitt, going 28-5, 27-4, 30-9, and 33-5 from 1976 to 1980 with four straight Top 4 finishes.

Baseball was no help but posted one .500 season and three other winning seasons, each coming barely.

And the Men’s Swimming and Diving team captured a national title under Jimmy Carter, which has to count for something. As a result, he is higher than the others on this list.

Next: #9: Dwight Eisenhower

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