John J. Tigert

John Tigert
United States Commissioner of Education
In office
June 2, 1921 – September 1, 1928
PresidentWarren G. Harding
Calvin Coolidge
Preceded byPhilander Claxton
Succeeded byWilliam Cooper
Personal details
Born(1882-02-11)February 11, 1882
Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.
DiedJanuary 21, 1965(1965-01-21) (aged 82)
Gainesville, Florida, U.S.
SpouseEdith Jackson Bristol
EducationVanderbilt University (BA)
Pembroke College, Oxford (MA)
Coaching career
Playing career
Football
1901–1903Vanderbilt
Position(s)Halfback, fullback
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
Football
1909Central (MO)
1910Kentucky Wesleyan
1915–1916Kentucky
Basketball
1913Kentucky
1916–1917Kentucky
Administrative career (AD unless noted)
1913–1917Kentucky
Head coaching record
Overall17–6–4 (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.