Mike Keith, a Volunteer State native who grew up listening to John Ward on the radio before graduating from the University of Tennessee, is the newest Voice of the Vols. Tennessee announced the hiring on Thursday and Keith will call his first game on Saturday, Aug. 30 when the Vols open up their 2025 football season against Syracuse.
Keith will be the lead play-by-play announcer for both Tennessee football and men’s basketball, according to UT Athletics.
Keith fills the position left by Bob Kesling who spent 26 years as the lead radio announcer for Tennessee football and men’s basketball. Kesling announced his coming retirement in November. He wrapped up his last football season last month and will finish up the men’s basketball season before officially retiring.
The 57-year old Keith’s served as the Tennessee Titans radio announcer since the franchise moved from Houston to Tennessee in 1997. Ironically, outgoing 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— which occurred 25 years ago yesterday.
“While it is very hard to say goodbye to the Tennessee Titans, it is not hard to say “yes” to a return to the University of Tennessee and the Vol Network,” Keith said via UT’s press release. “Alicia Longworth laid out a very exciting plan for how I can assist the talented VFL Films content team. Steve Early has continued to make me feel a part of the Vol Network family since I left Knoxville in 1998—it was like I never left.
“Everyone associated in this process has been very professional, very impressive and very kind. This continued a theme from a series of experiences that I have had over the last five years when dealing with anyone—athletics, University and Campus leadership, staff, faculty, students, etc.—-from the University of Tennessee. Everyone is just top-notch, and I mean EVERYONE. I am excited to join this entire team in hopes that I can add a solid contribution. It is great to be a Tennessee Volunteer, especially in 2025!”
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Keith grew up in Chattanooga and then Franklin. He attended the University of Tennessee before starting his broadcasting career in Knoxville post graduation. Keith had a popular sports radio show in Knoxville, worked for the great John Ward in the football booth and served as the lead radio announcer for Tennessee baseball.
Along with John Wilkerson, Keith brought Vol baseball to the radio oft traveling and working for free in the early days. During an early 1990s trip to Arkansas, their mix plug shorted leading to them making up breaks in the action to switch the necessary D batteries to run the mixer every few innings.
Keith was the lead announcer for Tennessee’s second-ever trip to the College World Series in 1995— the Vols’ first since 1951 and a seminal moment for the program’s resurgence under head coach Rod Delmonico.
“When we discussed potential candidates, one name topped our list without question: bringing Mike and his family back to Rocky Top,” Tennessee AD Danny White in the UT press release. “He is a true icon in the broadcasting industry, and we are excited to harness Mike’s exceptional skill set to further elevate both the Vol Network and Tennessee Athletics in bold, innovative ways.”
Keith is leaving his post with the Titans to call Tennessee football and men’s basketball full time.
