Just like that, a 35-year tradition of Vol Calls being something everyone has loved is no more. Wait, what? In case you missed it, the decision has come in for the segment to be axed. That means Tennessee football fans won't be able to enjoy it this fall and beyond.
It's a move that plenty of people simply don't understand. The Vol Network is introducing plenty of new changes for this upcoming season, of course including Mike Keith taking over for the legendary Bob Kesling. However, getting rid of Vol Calls is a decision that indeed has people downright furious all over social media.
Tennessee football getting rid of beloved 35-year tradition for no reason
More content. More ways to watch!
— Tennessee Athletics (@Vol_Sports) August 7, 2025
An exciting new slate of programing from Tennessee Athletics and the @VolNetwork will launch this fall.
Details here » https://t.co/1cDlLgXQMC pic.twitter.com/rZ5JAoWPHI
Tennessee getting rid of Vol Calls understandably has the fanbase up in arms
On Thursdays during the football season, head man Josh Heupel will be a weekly guest on Keith's show, which will be great. However, fans won't have the opportunity to call in and ask Heupel a question that they have on their mind. This was part of what made the community pretty special, as it was running for 35 years with former coaches too. Can you blame people for being upset?
No ticket stubs
— Brent (@ChristinaTippen) August 7, 2025
No Spring Game Fan Day
No Vol Calls
What's next to go??
I never watched or listened to Vol Calls, but I still hate that they are getting rid of it. It is just another example of the fans paying more and more, and getting less and less access to the program.
— Big Orange Bush (@Big_Orange_Bush) August 8, 2025
No Vol Calls is an insane decision https://t.co/9KqvqOQXcS
— Noah McKay (@NoahMcKayUCR) August 8, 2025
Sooo..No more “Vol Calls”? That’s one of the only direct interactions between Coaches and the fans that I know of. You will be able to send questions “via UT's social media accounts” to Mike Keith’s weekly show on Thursday, though! 🙃 pic.twitter.com/woFHkRFm2x
— Audrey Caylor~TRUST NO ONE 🍊🐝 (@C6E_MUSIC) August 7, 2025
No Vol Calls is criminal tbh https://t.co/zZP9sCo0YM
— No Context Vols (@ZeroContextVols) August 8, 2025
No vol calls tho? That was the best show and best way for people to meet the coaches in person
— Wade Rouse (@Rouse6Wade) August 8, 2025
@AustinPriceless I mean really ap they are getting rid of vol calls that is crazy man. Danny White has done a great job but the fans love vol calls. Now you can't even ask coaches questions live anymore that is nuts man. They shouldn't forget the fans.
— Donovan millican (@Donovanmil82294) August 8, 2025
There are plenty more posts just like the ones above. Change can be good, we're not going to disagree with that. At the same time, there are certain traditions that shouldn't be sacrificed. Vol Calls has provided people with some incredible memories over the past three decades.
Remember when a fan called in and asked Jeremy Pruitt when he was going to admit he wasn't a good ball coach and if he's planning to go back to Alabama? This is what we're now going to be robbed of, though no one is questioning whether or not Heupel is the right man for the job.
Danny White has done a lot of good for the Vols since he took over as AD, but some upset UT supporters are convinced he's forgetting about important history. We can only hope Tennessee finds a different way to get the fanbase engaged in a similar way down the road. For now, we're all just scratching our heads over what has gone down.