Tennessee Vols Name Keith as New ‘Voice of the Vols’

The University of Tennessee has announced that Keith, a UT graduate and former Vol Network member, will return to Rocky Top as the new ‘Voice of the Vols.’ Keith, who spent 27 years as the voice of the Tennessee Titans, will take over as the play-by-play announcer for Vols football and men’s basketball, succeeding Bob Kesling, who is retiring after 26 years in the role.

Keith, 57, began his broadcasting career in Knoxville while studying at the University of Tennessee. After graduating, he hosted sports talk shows and covered the Vols for local media outlets. In 1998, he joined the Tennessee Titans, where he built Titans Radio into a successful multimedia network. His return to Tennessee athletics marks a full-circle moment for the lifelong Vols fan.

‘It’s otherworldly almost,’ Keith said in an exclusive interview with Volquest. ‘To think that only four other people have had this job, and I respect them so much. To be in that classification now is almost otherworldly.’

Keith grew up idolizing legendary Vols announcer John Ward, whose iconic voice inspired his passion for broadcasting. ‘I loved it because of John Ward,’ Keith recalled. ‘My indoctrination into all of this came at a point when Stanley Morgan was on the football team, Condredge Holloway was the quarterback, and Larry Seivers was the All-American receiver. That to me was magical.’

Keith’s deep connection to Tennessee athletics and his extensive experience in sports broadcasting make him a natural fit for the role. He has won the Tennessee Sportscaster of the Year Award twelve times and is widely respected in the industry.

Bob Kesling, who has served as the ‘Voice of the Vols’ since 1999, will officially retire after the men’s basketball season. Kesling, 70, is the longest-serving member of the Vol Network’s 75-year history and has been a cornerstone of Tennessee athletics on radio and television.

Keith’s appointment has been met with enthusiasm from the Tennessee fanbase, who see his return as a homecoming for one of their own. ‘This is truly a dream come true,’ Keith said. ‘I’ve always felt a deep connection to the Vols, and I’m honored to continue the legacy of those who came before me.’