Tennessee Brings Mike Keith Back Home as New “Voice of the Vols”
Tennessee fans will hear a familiar voice leading the Vol Network in the fall of 2025, as Mike Keith, the long-time play-by-play announcer for the NFL’s Tennessee Titans, returns to his alma mater to become the new Voice of the Vols. This announcement, made by Tennessee on Thursday morning, reveals that Keith will take over for the retiring Bob Kesling and will handle both football and men’s basketball broadcasts for the university. Beyond the play-by-play duties, Keith will also be involved in new programming initiatives designed to offer fans an exciting and dynamic experience, which will be rolled out later this year.
Keith is a household name in Tennessee, renowned for his 26 seasons as the voice of the Titans. He is particularly famous for his call of the “Music City Miracle” in 2000 and his iconic commentary on Sundays. Over the years, he has become an integral part of Tennessee sports culture. His return to the University of Tennessee is no surprise to many fans, as Keith was overwhelmingly voted as the top choice to succeed Kesling as the voice of the Vols.
Keith, who has been inducted into five Hall of Fames, just completed his 27th year with the Titans in 2024. Although Keith has deep ties to the NFL franchise, his roots are firmly planted in Tennessee, where he was born in Knoxville and raised in Franklin. Keith attended the University of Tennessee, which has made his move back to the Vol Network feel like a homecoming.
In a statement, Keith expressed his excitement about returning to his roots: “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. He acknowledged the welcoming and professional atmosphere at Tennessee, noting that he was looking forward to contributing to the Vol Films content team and to enhancing the fan experience.
Keith’s connection to Tennessee began long before his tenure with the Titans. He started his broadcasting career as a high school student at Battle Ground Academy in Franklin, where he worked for WAGG-TV. Upon arriving at the University of Tennessee in 1986, he became the sports director at WUTK, the school’s student-run radio station. By the age of 19, Keith was hired by legendary broadcaster John Ward, and he spent the next decade in various roles at the Vol Network. From 1987 to 1998, Keith called Tennessee baseball games and hosted one of the state’s first daily sports talk shows. His sports talk program won numerous accolades, including several Associated Press sports talk show awards in the 1990s.
Keith’s return to Tennessee marks a full circle moment in his career, bringing his extensive experience and deep love for the university back to where it all began. With his decades of professional experience and unmatched passion for the Vols, Mike Keith is poised to bring a new level of energy and excitement to Tennessee athletics.
Keith’s legacy at the Titans and his long-standing affiliation with Tennessee makes this transition both meaningful and fitting. Fans of the Vols can expect his familiar voice to be the soundtrack for many of their most cherished sports moments in the years to come. His leadership and vision for the Vol Network promise to elevate the university’s sports broadcasts, and his involvement in new programming will further strengthen the connection between Tennessee’s athletics and its passionate fanbase.
As he steps into this new role, Keith is eager to continue his lifelong commitment to Tennessee. “It is great to be a Tennessee Volunteer, especially in 2025,” Keith added, hinting at the exciting future of the Vols under his watchful eye.
