x
Breaking News
More () »

Vols should be happy to see Georgia Dome go

The Georgia Dome is set to be imploded on Monday morning. The dome hasn't been very friendly to Tennessee teams in its history.
ATLANTA, GA - NOVEMBER 29: A general view of the Georgia Dome prior to the game between the New Orleans Saints and the Atlanta Falcons on November 29, 2012 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Many Vol fans consider the Georgia Dome a house of horrors. National championship hopes dashed, bowl game blowouts and SEC Tournament troubles fill their memories of the venue. Many are probably happy to see it blown up.

Across the three major sports, UT went 10-18 at the Georgia Dome. Nine Tennessee coaches led their teams onto its field or court, including the legendary Pat Summitt. Only one of those coaches had a winning record there. Derek Dooley. He was 1-0.

The early days of the dome were great for Tennessee football. Peyton Manning helped capture an SEC Championship in the football Vols' first game under its roof, beating Auburn, 30-29. Phillip Fulmer's group was back the following year to hoist another trophy on their way to a national championship.

6 Dec 1997: Quarterback Peyton Manning #16 of Tennessee celebrates after the Volunteers 30-29 win over Auburn in the SEC Championship at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia.

But that's where the fun ended.

Fulmer never won another game at the Georgia Dome after '98, losing in three SEC title games and two Peach Bowls. Despite his 2-5 record there, he says he enjoyed playing in the dome. That's what he told the media Friday when discussing SEC Championship games before Tennessee's 1997 title team reunion.

"It's the best setting, that old dome, it was just incredible the way it was set up. I loved playing there. I would've liked to have won one or two or three more of them," Fulmer said.

Lane Kiffin couldn't break the dome losing streak in 2009, losing to Virginia Tech by 23 in the Chick-Fil-A Bowl. Dooley won the program's final game at the Georgia Dome, beating NC State in the Chick-Fil-A Kickoff Game to start the 2012 season.

Tennessee's first and last sporting events at the dome were basketball games. Both losses.

Scottie Wilbekin of the Florida Gators drives with the ball against Josh Richardson and Jarnell Stokes of the Tennessee Volunteers during the semifinals of the SEC Men's Basketball Tournament at Georgia Dome. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

The Vols played in 11 SEC Tournaments at the Georgia Dome, never winning more than one game in a single tournament and getting knocked out in its first game five times.

Pat Summitt had to watch Geno Auriemma cut down the nets at the dome in 2003.

View of the National Anthem pregame ceremonies prior to the NCAA Women's Championship game at the Georgia Dome on April 8, 2003 in Atlanta, Georgia. Connecticut defeated Tennessee 73-68. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Fulmer's second ranked Vols saw their national championship dreams disappear there in 2001. And Jason Campbell's SEC title game record 431 total yards and Jonathan Zenon's pick six vanquished the Vols in 2004 and 2007.

Tennessee was ready to say goodbye to the Georgia Dome. The Vols are already 1-0 in its replacement.

Vols football in Georgia Dome (3-6):

1997 SEC Championship Game: W (beat Auburn, 30-29)
1998 SEC Championship Game: W (beat Miss. State, 24-14)
2001 SEC Championship Game: L (lost to LSU, 31-20)
2002 Peach Bowl: L (lost to Maryland, 30-3)
2004 Peach Bowl (after 2003 season): L (lost to Clemson, 27-14)
2004 SEC Championship Game: L (lost to Auburn, 38-28)
2007 SEC Championship Game: L (lost to LSU, 21-14)
2009 Chick-fil-A Bowl: L (lost to Virginia Tech, 37-14)
2012 Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game: W (beat NC State, 35-21)

Vols basketball in Georgia Dome (6-11):

1995 SEC Tournament (0-1: lost to Alabama, 55-43)
1998 SEC Tournament (1-1: beat LSU, 72-65; lost to Arkansas, 102-96)
1999 SEC Tournament (0-1: lost to Miss. State, 62-56)(Vols were East Division’s top seed)
2000 SEC Tournament (0-1: lost to South Carolina, 75-68)(Vols were East Division’s top seed)
2002 SEC Tournament (1-1: beat Arkansas, 68-61; lost to Alabama, 91-72)
2004 SEC Tournament (0-1: lost to Alabama, 84-49)
2005 SEC Tournament (1-1: beat Arkansas, 65-46; lost to Kentucky, 76-62)
2007 SEC Tournament (0-1: lost to LSU, 76-67 in OT)
2008 SEC Tournament (1-1: beat South Carolina, 89-87; lost to Arkansas, 92-91)(East #1 seed)
2011 SEC Tournament (1-1: beat Arkansas, 74-68; lost to Florida, 85-74)
2014 SEC Tournament (1-1: beat South Carolina, 59-44; lost to Florida, 56-49)

Lady Vols basketball in Georgia Dome (1-1):

2003 Final Four: beat Duke, 66-56 in national semifinal; lost to UConn, 73-68 in National Championship

Tennessee coaches in the Georgia Dome:

Derek Dooley (1-0)
Pat Summitt (1-1)
Cuonzo Martin (1-1)
Buzz Peterson (2-3)
Bruce Pearl (2-3)
Jerry Green (1-3)
Phillip Fulmer (2-5)
Lane Kiffin (0-1)
Kevin O’Neill (0-1)

Before You Leave, Check This Out