Titans radio voice Mike Keith leaves to call Tennessee Vols football and basketball

On By Littum

A Tennessee sportscasting icon is transitioning from the NFL to college in a somewhat unconventional move.

Mike Keith, who has been the radio voice of the Tennessee Titans for nearly three decades, will return to his alma mater to call Tennessee Volunteers football and basketball, the school announced Thursday. Keith succeeds the retiring Bob Kesling, who was the voice of the Vols for a quarter century.

“While it is very difficult to say goodbye to the Tennessee Titans, it is not difficult to say ‘yes’ to a return to the University of Tennessee and the Vol Network,” Keith said in a declaration.

Keith spent 27 seasons with the Titans. An early highlight was his memorable playoff call in 2000 of “The Music City Miracle,” in which the Titans scored a late second kickoff return touchdown on one side to defeat the Buffalo Bills. Keith punctuated his call with, “It’s a miracle!” which has been repeated in Titans history ever since.

The lure of returning to Knoxville from Nashville was too much for Keith, 57, who participated in the Volunteer Games as a child and graduated from college. In addition to calling games, Keith is expected to be involved in some new initiatives for the athletics program.

Keith was the top choice of Vols athletic director Danny White and assistant athletic director Alicia Longworth, who laid out the plan that convinced Keith to make the move.

“As we discussed potential candidates, one name topped our list without question: bringing Mike and his family back to Rocky Top,” White said in a statement. “He is a true icon in the broadcast industry, and we are excited to leverage Mike’s exceptional skills to further elevate both the Vol Network and Tennessee Athletics in bold, innovative ways.”

(Photo: Matthew Maxey / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)