Tennessee Vols Mascot: Bluetick Coonhound Confirmed The University of Tennessee Volunteers (Vols) mascot is a Bluetick Coonhound named Smokey, a tradition sparking fan excitement since 1953.

Origin Story

In 1953, UT held a contest to pick a live mascot, landing on this striking blue-gray spotted hound from the Hudson family—perfect for Tennessee's hunting heritage.

"Blue Smokey," the original, kicked off a lineage now at Smokey XI (leading the field since 2022), cared for by Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity brothers since 1977.

Tragically, Blue Smokey passed in 1955, but descendants like victorious Smokey VIII (overseeing the 1998 national title) kept the howl alive.

Why Bluetick Coonhound?

These dogs shine with tracking skills , loyalty, and that iconic mottled coat—mirroring Vols' grit on Rocky Top.

Tennessee made it the state dog breed in 2019 , with 10 Smokey statues dotting campus as tributes.

Both live Smokey and a costumed version hype football games, earning mascot hall-of-fame nods.

Quick Facts

Aspect| Details
---|---
Breed| Bluetick Coonhound 15
Debut| 1953 via contest 18
Current| Smokey XI (2022+) 1
Handlers| Alpha Gamma Rho since 1977 3
Notable| State dog (2019); 11 dogs total 35
Legacy| 91-22 record under Smokey VIII 7

Fan Buzz & Recent Vibes

Even in 2023 Reddit threads, fans geeked over "Bluey-fied" Vols pups, blending pop culture with tradition.

As of late 2025, Smokey still rallies crowds—no major changes, just timeless Vols pride.

Picture Smokey charging the field: pure electric energy that unites generations of orange-blooded fans. TL;DR: Smokey the Bluetick Coonhound—UT's live legend since '53, blending hunt-dog roots with championship spirit.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.