John Tigert | |
|---|---|
 | |
| United States Commissioner of Education | |
| In office June 2, 1921 – September 1, 1928 | |
| President | Warren G. Harding Calvin Coolidge |
| Preceded by | Philander Claxton |
| Succeeded by | William Cooper |
| Personal details | |
| Born | February 11, 1882 Nashville, Tennessee, U.S. |
| Died | January 21, 1965 (aged 82) Gainesville, Florida, U.S. |
| Spouse | Edith Jackson Bristol |
| Education | Vanderbilt University (BA) Pembroke College, Oxford (MA) |
| Coaching career | |
 | |
| Playing career | |
| Football | |
| 1901–1903 | Vanderbilt |
| Position(s) | Halfback, fullback |
| Coaching career (HC unless noted) | |
| Football | |
| 1909 | Central (MO) |
| 1910 | Kentucky Wesleyan |
| 1915–1916 | Kentucky |
| Basketball | |
| 1913 | Kentucky |
| 1916–1917 | Kentucky |
| Administrative career (AD unless noted) | |
| 1913–1917 | Kentucky |
| Head coaching record | |
| Overall | 17–6–4 (football) |
| Accomplishments and honors | |
| Awards | |
| All-Southern (1903) | |
| College Football Hall of Fame Inducted in 1970 (profile) | |
John James Tigert IV (February 11, 1882 – January 21, 1965) was an American university president, university professor and administrator, college sports coach and the U.S. Commissioner of Education. Tigert was a native of Tennessee and the son and grandson of Methodist bishops. After receiving his bachelor's degree, he earned his master's degree as a Rhodes Scholar.
After completing his education, Tigert taught at Central College; served as the president of Kentucky Wesleyan College; and worked as a professor, sports coach and administrator at the University of Kentucky.
Tigert gained his greatest national prominence as the U.S. Commissioner of Education from 1921 to 1928, and the third president of the University of Florida, from 1928 to 1947. He is remembered as a forceful advocate for American public education, intercollegiate sports and university curriculum reform.