Randy Smith: Big Changes In Store For Vol Network

Since the University of Tennessee started the Vol Network in 1949, focusing on broadcasting Tennessee football games, the Vols have had just five play by play announcers. Lindsey Nelson was the first, followed by George Mooney, John Ward, Bob Kesling and now Mike Keith. That's just five announcers in 76 years. When the Vol Network finds someone it likes, they tend to stay a long time. I am living proof of that as I spent 17 years as host of the Big Orange Scoreboard Show and altogether 30 years as a staff announcer, including basketball television play by play.

The man who replaced me as scoreboard host in 2001 was John Wilkerson who held that spot for 24 years....until now. Beginning this fall a familiar voice will be the main anchor for the Vols pre-game and post-game duties. Larry Stone, who had a very similar job with the Tennessee Titans several years ago will join Mike Keith and analyst Ramon Foster on the broadcasts. Why the change you ask? All game broadcasts will now originate from the game site. There will no longer be a studio presence on the broadcasts. Everything will now come from Neyland Stadium or the stadium where the Vols play on the road.

This is a new concept but one that makes perfect sense. In the old days, back in 1984 when I was hosting the Kickoff Call In Show, computers were not nearly as sophisticated as they are now. You had to get scores mainly from the wire services. Now, they're updated almost to the second online. In addition, calling in on the phones for sports talk shows is a thing of the past. The Vol Network made that change several years ago, not taking callers in the pre-game show. It had become almost boring to hear Tennessee fans call in and say, "Hey John, hey Bill, hey Randy and I'll hang up and listen." It wasn't always like that but you catch my drift. Now it's more interviews and conversations leading up to the kickoff. It now sounds a lot more professional.

I spoke with John Wilkerson a few days ago and he agreed the changes would be good, although he will no longer be on the football broadcasts. He will have an expanded role in Tennessee's basketball broadcasts this coming season, until February first when he returns to the Vols' baseball broadcasts as the Voice of Tennessee Baseball games. I always said that John was one of the hardest working broadcasters in the world, but he now will have a little more time in the fall, not having to anchor Tennessee football broadcasts. 

The new Voice of the Vols, Mike Keith was the logical choice to replace Bob Kesling when he decided to retire several months ago. He goes from being one of the very best NFL announcers to one of the best in the business in college sports. I mentioned his name when Kesling first announced he was stepping down and there was really no other choice for the job I'm looking forward to hearing the new crew when Tennessee opens the 2025 season against Syracuse in the Chik-Fil-A classic in Atlanta on Aug. 30.