Smokey IX defended his home stadium by nipping at and, according to Alabama head coach Mike Shula, drawing blood from an Alabama player in pregame warmups before the Tennessee-Alabama game in 2006. Beginning in 2003, he served as mascot under head football coaches Phillip Fulmer, Lane Kiffin, and Derek Dooley. In 2009, the American Kennel Club recognized the bluetick coonhound as its 162nd registered breed during Smokey IX’s tenure. After surgery for a torn ligament in January 2012, Smokey IX retired at the end of the season.