Tennessee Voice of the Vols Bob Kesling announced that he is retiring as the Vols’ lead radio man on Thursday after spending 26 years as the radio announcer for Tennessee football and men’s basketball. Prior to his time as the Voice of the Vols, Kesling also spent 22 years as the radio announcer for Lady Vols’ basketball where he called Pat Summitt’s first six National Champions.
Kesling will serve in his role through the end of the 2024-25 men’s basketball season, but who will replace him as the third ever Voice of the Vols?
Mike Keith is the most obvious candidate. A University of Tennessee graduate, Keith grew up in Chattanooga and Franklin as a Vol fan who listened to John Ward on the radio. He later got his start in the profession working for John Ward.
Keith worked in Knoxville early in his career including as the radio announcer for Tennessee baseball and as a radio host in the area. He left Knoxville in 1997 to work for the Tennessee Titans and has served as the franchise’s only radio play-by-play man since the franchise moved to Nashville.
Ironically, current Tennessee radio color commentator Pat Ryan was Keith’s first radio partner with the Titans. The two were on the call for the iconic Music City Miracle.
John Wilkerson is another great option for Tennessee. A University of Tennessee graduate, Wilkerson has worked in Knoxville radio his entire career and has been on the Sports Animal’s successful morning show for a number of years.
More From RTI: Florida Football Reveals Commitment to Billy Napier Despite Hot Seat Rumors
Wilkerson was Keith’s sidekick on Tennessee baseball radio calls for a decade before taking over as the lead play-by-play man. The Knoxville native’s calls have become legendary during Tennessee baseball’s resurgence under Tony Vitello, culminating in the Vols’ National Championship this June.
Keith and Wilkerson are by far the top two candidates to replace Kesling but there are a few others to keep in mind.
Roger Hoover is a University of Tennessee graduate who works for the Crimson Tide Radio Network. He’s Alabama’s lead radio baseball announcer but also works on the broadcasts for both football and men’s basketball.
A Kingsport native, Hoover frequently calls Tennessee baseball and basketball games for the SEC Network+. He also has spent time as a Minor League Baseball radio announcer.
Darren Headrick is a University of Tennessee graduate who calls women’s basketball and baseball games on the radio for Kentucky athletics.
Tennessee has had just two Voice of the Vols for the 61 years so change at the position will be quite odd. But Tennessee has a number of good options to turn to.
