How a Tennessee Bluetick Coonhound became a college football icon through a single howl

Cultures · Published 10 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: In 1953, the University of Tennessee needed a mascot to boost school spirit. After a statewide contest, a hound named Blue Smokey won the crowd’s heart with a perfectly timed howl. For over 70 years, this tradition has survived dognappings, stadium clashes, and even a case of mistaken identity.

The search for a mascot began when the UT Pep Club, led by Stuart Worden, sought a rallying point beyond the school’s abstract torch symbol. While proponents pushed for a Tennessee Walking Horse, the club ultimately chose a hound dog. At a halftime contest during the 1953 Mississippi State game, Reverend William C. Brooks’s bluetick coonhound, Blue Smokey, was the final entrant. When his name was called, he barked and howled, electrifying the crowd and securing his place as the university’s new mascot.

The life of a mascot proved adventurous and occasionally perilous. Smokey II, the son of the original, was famously dognapped by Kentucky students in 1955 and held at a horse farm near Lexington. He also survived a tense halftime encounter with a live bear mascot at the 1957 Sugar Bowl. Tragedy struck the lineage as well; Smokey I died in a hit-and-run accident in 1955, and Smokey II died in 1963 after reportedly being fed a chocolate pie by a fan.

The tradition has evolved significantly over the decades. Beyond the live dogs, a costumed version of Smokey appeared in the late 1960s, initially wearing homemade jumpsuits that fans felt resembled a rabbit. Modern iterations have become more professional, featuring sculpted heads and accurate breed coloring. Today, the role continues with Smokey XII, a rescue bluetick coonhound named Neyland, who was selected for his temperament and adaptability. His journey from a rescue to the field reflects the enduring Volunteer spirit of community support and resilience.

The mascot’s role remains a high-stakes responsibility, involving training from veterinary experts and care from dedicated student groups like the Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity. While the live dogs have faced challenges—from rabies scares to health battles—they remain a beloved fixture of UT tradition. The transition to Smokey XII, who will debut at the 2026 Orange and White game, ensures that the legacy of the 'houn’ dawg' continues to connect fans to the university’s history.

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