The Southeastern Conference (SEC) is built on tradition, excellence, and competitiveness. It is a fraternity of athletic programs that not only represent regional pride but also uphold standards of conduct, performance, and institutional integrity. However, one member has consistently failed to meet these standards in recent years—both on and off the field. It is time for SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey to take a bold, unprecedented step: remove the University of Tennessee Volunteers from the SEC.
This is not a call made lightly. The SEC is a prestigious club, one that programs across the country dream of joining. Membership in the SEC should be earned and maintained through merit and responsible institutional behavior. But Tennessee has become the conference’s perennial underachiever, mired in mediocrity, controversy, and chaos, dragging down the brand and integrity of the SEC.
Let’s start with the on-field performance. While other SEC teams compete for national championships, Tennessee has spent the better part of two decades floundering in irrelevance. One brief spurt of success under a promising coach inevitably gives way to dysfunction, coaching turnover, and subpar recruiting. Since Phillip Fulmer’s departure in 2008, the program has cycled through head coaches like a revolving door, with each new hire promising a “return to glory” that never materializes. While Alabama, Georgia, and LSU contend for playoff berths, Tennessee has been busy losing to Sun Belt teams and celebrating Music City Bowl invitations like they’re national titles.
Mediocrity might be forgivable if accompanied by institutional stability and integrity. Unfortunately, Tennessee falls short here too. The Volunteers have found themselves embroiled in scandal after scandal. Most infamously, under former head coach Jeremy Pruitt, the program was caught committing egregious recruiting violations so blatant and amateurish—like handing recruits money in fast food bags—that it would be laughable if it weren’t so damaging to the SEC’s credibility. That incident alone led to major NCAA sanctions and tarnished the reputation of the entire conference.
Even more troubling is the culture of entitlement and delusion that surrounds the program. Despite consistent underperformance, Tennessee fans and boosters behave as though their team is a powerhouse being held back by conspiracy and bad luck. They harass coaches, run off athletic directors, and create a toxic environment that chokes progress. This rabid, self-destructive culture undermines not only Tennessee but the SEC as a whole, as it reflects poorly on the conference’s ability to maintain institutional control and stability.
Kicking Tennessee out of the SEC would be a bold move, but one that sends a clear message: the conference will not tolerate incompetence, chaos, and scandal from its members. Just as teams are expected to compete at the highest level on the field, they must also represent the values of integrity, discipline, and excellence off it. Tennessee has repeatedly shown that it cannot or will not meet that standard.
Some might argue that Tennessee’s historic significance or financial contributions to the SEC are reason enough to keep them in. But tradition without performance is nostalgia, not value. The conference cannot rest on the laurels of a program’s past glories while ignoring its present failures. Moreover, the SEC is already overflowing with schools that contribute meaningfully to its profile, both competitively and financially. Removing Tennessee would open the door for a rising program, perhaps one from a neighboring region looking to elevate its stature and join the most competitive league in college sports.
Ultimately, the SEC should stand for more than just tradition—it should stand for excellence, accountability, and forward progress. Tennessee has become a stagnant weight, dragging down the quality and image of the conference. Commissioner Greg Sankey has a responsibility to protect the SEC’s brand and integrity. That means making difficult decisions, including parting ways with institutions that no longer align with the conference’s values.
It’s time for the SEC to stop babysitting Tennessee. Kick them out. Let them find a new home where mediocrity is tolerated and scandal is overlooked. The rest of the SEC deserves best
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