Tennessee Voice of the Vols Bob Kesling announces 2025 retirement
Tennessee basketball fans have come to know and love Bob Kesling, who has been the voice of the Volunteers basketball team since 1999.
He has called some of the biggest moments in Tennessee sports history such as Pat Summitt’s national titles to the classic Tennessee and Alabama football game in 2022.
On Thursday, Kesling announced that he would be retiring after the upcoming men’s basketball season.
After a decorated career spanning more than five decades — including a 25-year run as the Voice of the Vols — Hall of Fame broadcaster Bob Kesling has announced he will retire following the 2024-25 men’s basketball season.
— Tennessee Athletics (@Vol_Sports) November 7, 2024
Tennessee put out a statement on Kesling’s retirement, with Athletic Director Danny White saying Kesling is the perfect example of someone who gave it all for Tennessee.
“Bob’s influence has been remarkable, touching so many lives as the Voice of the Vols and through his heartfelt dedication as a mentor and leader in our Knoxville community for over 50 years,” Tennessee Vice Chancellor/Director of Athletics Danny White said. “He embodies the true spirit of someone who has given his all for Tennessee. As an icon in the broadcasting industry, we are deeply appreciative of the professionalism he brings to Tennessee Athletics each time he takes the microphone. His contributions resonate with all of us here on Rocky Top and we cannot thank him enough for everything he has done.”
Kesling first became a Volunteer when he walked on as a fullback in 1972, and he began his broadcasting career in 1974.
It was going to be impossible to live up to john wards calls but I think Bob did well. wish him well.
Isn’t it interesting that Bob Kesling wasn’t worth a dam…n …
John Ward was iconic… by far the best college sports announcer.
I met Kesling at a UT Club event in Atlanta… let’s just say Bobby wasn’t the sharpest fellow. Bobby is a stupid red neck and fat and goofy.
Good riddance….
Go Vols!
John Ward was the king, and I never thought anyone could measure up to him. I could pick his voice out of the static using my Dad’s Zenith Transoceanic radio as we lived 9+ hours from Knoxville.
Kesling definitely grew into the role as Voice of the Vols. Thanks for all the great calls Mr. Kesling.
Who will be the replacement?
Could Mike Keith be next in line?
Maybe we could get Eli Gold.
John Ward was the greatest of them all. Kessling came fairly close to him
Ward was the greatest. One thing I appreciate that Kesling took from Ward is he wasn’t an insufferable Homer. You knew Ward (and Kesling) were for UT, but I don’t remember ever hearing them use “we” and “they” to describe the teams. I heard Ward speak at the Memphis UT Club once in the 80s. He was able to criticize UT appropriately.
John Ward coined the phrase “Give Him Six.”
Bob Kesling invented the phrase “Into the Checkerboards.”
Kesling had a hard job to follow a legend, but he did so gracefully.
Appreciate the comment. It was like trying to follow Jack Cristil. He had a great voice.
i’m not gonna “sugar coat” it. I didn’t care for Bob but that is true for most of us lucky enough to be in the listening audience with John Ward.
I think Mike Keith would have been PERFECT choice decades ago, but not now. John Wilkerson is my first choice, but he might be a bit “long in the tooth” and not want the job if it means giving up baseball.
I really think Brian Rice (current with Lady Vols) would be a good choice. He has youth for a long ride as Voice of the Vols, which is what we tend to like since it becomes something “reliable” in your life.
John Wilkerson would be a good.
Unbelievable how many people on here saying how great Kesling was.
He was a very average, unremarkable broadcaster for his entire career…both as a sports news anchor and as the play by play commentator for Tennessee athletics.
I get that nobody was going to step in and do anywhere NEAR as well as John Ward, but this guy wasn’t even close. And I always found it funny that we didn’t push for someone better…I know Mike Keith comes up every time the subject is mentioned but there’s many other options.
I would have loved to have heard John Wilkerson and Jimmy Hyams back some years ago but don’t know if they are even still in the game.
Best of luck to Kesling but I was never a fan.
Kesling has no identity and makes way too many mistakes, recently confusing which team’s yard line the ball was on. If I’m calling a game, following the action, no way do I make that mistake. John Ward (the best to ever do it) made Tennessee Football & Basketball exciting & vivid. Bob is like watching paint dry. Which is sad, because Bob is a true VFL and loves Tennessee. A precious few people have IT, most don’t.
I remember hear John Ward call Peyton Todd Helton and later in his JR in a game he called him Andy Kelly. Mistakes happen when you’re going live.
Yes Ward is the GOAT but Bob did a very good job in an impossible position of replacing the legend.
And the replacement should be Big John Wilkerson, end of discussion.
John Wilkerson and Jimmy Hysms
Now it feels like 98.
Best wishes to the Bob.
John Ward is the standard of excellence for this role and that’s what we should be shooting for. Ward had a command of the language, he had energy, and his broadcast brought something extra to the game.
I nominate Carlos Lopez. When Lopez is melting the microphone hollering, “DALE SEIS!!!”, I’m on the edge of my seat. I’d rather listen to Juan Ward in Spanish before listening to Kesling in English. I’d rather learn Spanish to understand Lopez’ broadcasts. That guy takes it to ELEVEN and makes it mean as much to you as it does to him.