Need further proof that Tennessee Vols athletic director Danny White made the right call in finding Bob Kesling's replacement? First off, trying to take over for Kesling will be no easy task, as he's a Volunteers' legend through and through.
Having said that, White no question knocked things out of the park by hiring Mike Keith, formerly of the Tennessee Titans, to make a move back home to Knoxville to take over as the next Voice of the Vols. This is something Keith is quite excited about too.
Leaving a job covering an NFL team in a city like Nashville couldn't have been easy for Keith. However, when asked by WBIR's Camille Gear about the decision to return to Knoxville to call games for Tennessee athletics, it was a true no-brainer for him:
"The University of Tennessee is a job that is one of one. There's no other job like it in the United States. There's no other fanbase like it in the United States."
— Camille Gear (@CamilleGearTV) January 14, 2025
Mike Keith on his return to Rocky Top as the next Voice of the #Vols. pic.twitter.com/ih2LYFnuGG
Mike Keith is thrilled to be the next 'Voice of the Vols' for Tennessee
"When I sat down and I really weighed it, the thing that stood out to me (is) the University of Tennessee is a job that is one of one. There's no other job like it in the United States. There's no other fanbase like it in the United States and particularly at this time what's happening is incredibly exciting not just in athletics but on the entire campus."
Come on, that's incredible right there from Keith. This is also a full circle moment for him. He started attending Tennessee games with his dad when he was a little boy. After high school, he moved to Knoxville and attended UT. After graduating, he then enjoyed a long stint with the Vol Network.
After leaving Knoxville, Keith continued his brilliant broadcasting career, which led to him being inducted into the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame in 2021. He spent well over 20 years covering the Titans, but the lure to return to his old stomping grounds was simply too much to pass up on.
It sounds cliche to say, but Keith was born to be a Vol. The university and the athletic programs have meant the world to him for the majority of his life. His passion for Tennessee knows no limits, which will be showcased in every game he calls in the future. Kesling will be missed, but there was no one else who could take over for him other than Keith.