Tennessee’s Beloved Bluetick Coonhound
The Dog Who Barked His Way Into History
Knoxville, TN · Various Sports
★Mascot Hall of Fame — Class of 2008
| Team / Organization | University of Tennessee Volunteers |
|---|---|
| Location | Knoxville, TN |
| League / Division | NCAA (SEC) |
| First Debuted | September 26, 1953 (live bluetick coonhound; costumed mascot added in the 1970s) |
| Species / Type | Bluetick Coonhound (live dog) and costumed mascot character |
| Best Known For | Live coonhound leading the team through the Power T tunnel; two-mascot tradition unique in college sports; Smokey IX bit an Alabama player in 2006 |
| Year Inducted | 2008 |
Profile
Smokey is Tennessee’s beloved bluetick coonhound, chosen in 1953 when Brooks’ Blue Smokey barked at the crowd and the stadium went wild. The tradition of a live dog leading the Volunteers through the “Power T” tunnel remains one of college football’s most distinctive pregame moments. There’s also a costumed Smokey who runs the sidelines — and together they form one of the most storied two-mascot traditions in the NCAA.
Fun Facts
- Smokey was selected in a halftime contest at the 1953 Mississippi State game: when the announcer called Brooks’ Blue Smokey’s name, the hound barked, the crowd roared, the dog howled louder, and the feedback loop made the choice unanimous.
- Smokey IX, mascot from 2003 to 2012, made headlines in 2006 when he bit an Alabama player who fell on him during warmups — which Tennessee fans found deeply satisfying.
- In 1999, Auburn fans broke into the apartment of the costumed Smokey performer and stole the mascot suit. A local radio station offered a $1,000 reward. The suit was eventually found on the Auburn campus.
