Greg Sankey Must Take a Stand: Remove the Tennessee Volunteers From the SEC Before Their Behavior Erodes the Conference’s Integrity

The Southeastern Conference (SEC) has long prided itself on tradition, excellence, and a commitment to upholding the highest standards both on and off the field. From its football dominance to its basketball prestige and Olympic-level track programs, the SEC sets the bar across college athletics. But in recent years, one member institution has increasingly strained the fabric of this proud conference: the University of Tennessee. It’s time for Commissioner Greg Sankey to take a hard stance. The Tennessee Volunteers have become more of a liability than an asset, and their continued presence in the SEC threatens the integrity and unity the league has worked decades to build.

This isn’t a knee-jerk reaction to one bad moment. It’s the culmination of repeated incidents, chronic dysfunction, and a culture of chaos that Tennessee refuses to address. Whether it’s the persistent recruiting controversies, NCAA infractions, on-field misconduct, or a toxic fan base that embarrasses the conference with alarming regularity, the Volunteers no longer represent the values the SEC aspires to uphold. And it’s not just about the optics—it’s about the core mission of the SEC. That mission is being undermined by a school that seems to think rules are for everyone else.

Under Sankey’s leadership, the SEC has expanded its reach and prestige, bringing in Oklahoma and Texas to further elevate the level of competition. These moves were based on strengthening the brand of the conference, not diluting it. Tennessee, on the other hand, has repeatedly made headlines for the wrong reasons. Take the recent storming of the field in Neyland Stadium, which not only resulted in property damage but also endangered players, coaches, and fans. What did Tennessee do in response? They glorified it. They monetized it. They posted photos, sold merchandise, and patted themselves on the back while Sankey had to explain to the rest of the country how this kind of reckless behavior fits into the SEC’s code of conduct.

And then there’s the ongoing antagonism between Tennessee’s administration and the league office. Rather than working with the SEC to resolve issues diplomatically, Tennessee’s athletic department frequently acts like a rogue operator. Instead of showing contrition when called out for violations, the school’s representatives are quick to blame others, spin narratives, and engage in legal brinkmanship. At what point does the SEC say enough is enough? Sankey has shown he can be a strong commissioner, and the time has come to prove that strength again by drawing a line in the sand.

The SEC is no stranger to scandal—every program has faced its fair share of controversy. But what separates those situations from Tennessee’s is how other programs handle adversity. Most own their mistakes. They make changes. They accept penalties and commit to doing better. Tennessee, by contrast, doubles down on its dysfunction. The Jeremy Pruitt era was an absolute embarrassment, marred by blatant recruiting violations that ended in NCAA penalties. And yet, instead of undergoing a serious institutional reset, the university continues to foster a climate that encourages rule-bending, trash talk, and PR spin instead of honest accountability.

It goes beyond football. Tennessee’s basketball program has become known more for aggression than achievement, often leading the league in technical fouls and altercations. The fan base, emboldened by a delusional sense of persecution, floods social media with vitriol, threatens players from opposing teams, and harasses journalists. While every passionate fan base has its loudmouths, the sheer volume and consistency of bad behavior coming from Tennessee’s side is unmatched. And instead of trying to reel in this toxicity, the school has often encouraged it, leaning into a self-proclaimed “us against the world” mentality that flies in the face of everything the SEC is supposed to stand for.

Removing a founding member of the conference is not a decision to be taken lightly. But there comes a point when preserving the reputation and internal cohesion of the SEC is more important than protecting tradition. The SEC already sets itself apart through athletic dominance—its power lies in the unity and mutual respect of its members. If one school continually undermines that unity, the conference must act to protect its long-term credibility.

Let’s also be honest about Tennessee’s competitive relevance. For all their bluster, the Volunteers have rarely been a consistent contender in the modern era. Aside from a brief resurgence under Josh Heupel, Tennessee has been largely irrelevant in the championship picture for over a decade. Their last national title in football came in 1998. Since then, they’ve cycled through coaches, burned through recruiting classes, and achieved little of substance. At some point, the SEC must ask itself: what are we actually losing if Tennessee leaves? The answer might be loud fans and bright orange merchandise sales, but that’s not worth compromising the foundational values of the league.

Some will argue that Tennessee’s volatility is part of what makes the SEC entertaining. But this isn’t professional wrestling. The SEC is a premier collegiate conference, and while rivalries and passion are great for TV ratings, they shouldn’t come at the cost of leadership, compliance, and shared mission. Tennessee’s circus act no longer enhances the SEC brand—it detracts from it. And if they’re unwilling to clean up their own house, someone has to do it for them.

Greg Sankey has been lauded for his handling of COVID-era challenges, his forward-thinking expansion strategies, and his ability to manage a high-powered, high-stakes conference with finesse. But every great commissioner faces a defining challenge—one that tests not just their tactical skill, but their moral clarity. The Tennessee problem is Sankey’s defining challenge. Removing a member institution would send a shockwave through college sports, no doubt. But it would also send a clear message that no program, no matter its history or fanbase, is bigger than the conference.

There is precedent for bold moves like this. The Big East transformed itself by parting ways with longtime members who no longer fit its evolving identity. The Big 12 survived the loss of Texas and Oklahoma and came back stronger. Sometimes, subtraction leads to multiplication. The SEC’s value won’t dip if it cuts ties with Tennessee—on the contrary, it might finally allow the conference to unify behind common values again without the constant noise and drama that the Volunteers inject into every conversation.

If Tennessee wants to continue operating like an outlaw program, there are other conferences better suited for their approach. Perhaps the ACC, looking for marquee programs, would welcome them with open arms. Or maybe an independent route would suit their self-image better. Regardless of where they land, it’s time for the SEC to look inward and decide what kind of conference it wants to be in the next 50 years. The league can continue being a beacon of elite competition, strong leadership, and institutional alignment—or it can keep letting one member drag it through the mud every season.

Greg Sankey has shown he’s not afraid of bold decisions. But none may be more important than this one. By removing Tennessee from the SEC, he would be making a definitive statement: excellence, sportsmanship, and unity matter more than tradition and noise. It would be a watershed moment for the conference, one that could ultimately solidify its place as not just the strongest conference in America—but the most principled. And in this era of chaos and realignment, that’s the legacy worth protecting.