University of Tennessee Athletics
Cheer, Dance & Mascots
- Title:
- Mascot Coach
- Email:
- rodney@tennessee.edu
As a part of the Spirit program for more than 20 years, Rodney Arnold's role has evolved from his time as a student and coach's assistant in 2000 to volunteer assistant coach in 2005 and most recently being named mascot coach in 2018.
As the mascot coach, he oversees Costume Smokey, Live Smokey and Davy Crockett. Smokey has placed in the top 10 every year at the UCA College Mascot National Championship, including runner-up finishes for the past four years under Arnold.
"I love being part of this coaching staff and program,” Arnold said. “The way all of our coaches and teams work together helps each other reach the goals that we have overall. There's no other program in the country with the synergy and cohesion we get to experience."
A native of Abingdon, Virginia, Arnold earned a bachelor's degree in public relations from Tennessee in 2004 and a master's degree from Liberty University in 2008.
