One of the top play-by-play radio announcers in sports, Hall of Fame radio voice and VFL Mike Keith, is returning to Rocky Top as the next “Voice of the Vols,” Tennessee Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Danny White announced on Thursday.
Keith just completed his 27th season with the Tennessee Titans in 2024, including the last 26 years as “The Voice of the Titans.”
“When we discussed potential candidates, one name topped our list without question: bringing Mike and his family back to Rocky Top,” said White. “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 will be the lead play-by-play announcer for Tennessee’s football and men’s basketball games. He will also be involved in various new programming initiatives that will be unveiled later this year, promising fans an engaging and dynamic experience.
“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,” said Keith. “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!”
Describing one legendary NFL play on January 8, 2000, put him on the map. Keith accurately and enthusiastically called the play that he later dubbed “The Music City Miracle,” a last-second touchdown that gave the Tennessee Titans a playoff win over the Buffalo Bills. ESPN named Mike’s description of “The Music City Miracle” as one of the 10 Best Radio Calls in American Sports History.
“The Vol Network prides itself on being a broadcast pioneer and industry leader, and Mike’s appointment assures our quality and innovative approach will continue for the next generation of Vol fans,” said Steve Early, Vice President and General Manager of Learfield-Vol Network. “Mike is Vol Network to the core, and both his knowledge and appreciation of our athletics history is invaluable. We celebrate a continuum of legendary announcers at this University so Mike will fit right in.”
With that signature call and scores more since 1999, Keith earned a spot on the “Top 100 Local Voices in the First 100 Years of Sports Broadcasting” list by Sports Broadcast Journal in 2021.
Along with being named Tennessee’s Sportscaster of the Year 12 times and winning 20+ Associated Press awards, Keith owns a 1997 Edward R. Murrow Award for nationwide excellence in reporting. He is a member of five Halls of Fame, including the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame, Tennessee Radio Hall of Fame, TSSAA Hall of Fame, BGA Hall of Fame and the University of Tennessee Baseball Hall of Fame.
Keith became WUTK’s sports director on his third day on campus in Knoxville in 1986. Within months of that appointment, at only 19, Keith was hired by the legendary John Ward with the Vol Network. He would work in various roles with the Vol Network from 1987-98, including being “The Voice of the Baseball Vols” from 1992-98.
Keith also hosted one of Tennessee’s first daily sports talk shows from 1989-98 for WIVK/WNOX Radio in Knoxville. His four-hour show was named Tennessee’s best in five of the first six years that awards were presented in AP’s sports talk show category in the 1990s.
Keith was born in Knoxville and raised in Franklin. He and his wife, Michelle, have two
