Bob Kesling Retiring

#52
#52
I tip my hat for 25 years of work for the Vols, but I also admit I won't remember almost anything he called on the radio over those 25 years. All these years, but almost nothing memorable comes to mind. A very television oriented broadcaster in that respect - benign and in the background. Never distracting, but also almost never impactful.

Wilkerson is a great voice for radio. Not sure where he is or what he wants to do, obviously. Might like his current gig. Basketball-wise, Steve Hamer does a great job on TV, and I suspect he could also do very well on radio - or TV for that matter. Could be a good name to look at.

Whoever they pick, I hope they display a continuing commitment to professionalism a la John Ward - with just the right amount of Vol-colored commentary. Again, just like John Ward. I've listened to some of the other people in the SEC, and they're often unabashed emotional homers. Could do without that. Ward is the standard. I hope UT aims for that standard.
Hamer would be fine for color commentator, but he isn’t a play by play guy. And radio is a different animal than TV.
 
#53
#53
We need a VFL who's not afraid to have a little homerism and not afraid to cheer on a good play. I like the dog's 'announcers because they have passion and love their team.That's good to listen to
 
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#55
#55
Bring Mike Keith back to Knoxville. He was taught broadcasting at UT while John Ward was calling games.
Rumor has it, it came down to Bob vs Mike and the higher ups choose Mike.
Thanks Bob for the years of miss pronouncing players names, giving the wrong score and play and just babbling for no reason. Have a great retirement, you’ve earned it.
 
#58
#58
Thank the Lord. Long overdue.

I‘d personally be surprised if Mike Keith would leave the Titans, so my top choice is Tom Hart from the SEC Network, ESPN, etc, IF he’d be willing to take the job. Tom knows Knoxville and Tennessee very well (although he’s a Mizzou grad) with him being the voice of the Tennessee Smokies for a couple of years and doing Vol games on occasion in recent years.
If it's not Wilkerson, I do like Tom Hart as a sleeper pick.

I always enjoy Tom's calls and his Knoxville references.
 
#61
#61
Wilkerson is almost as old as Kesling. He wouldn’t be in the job very long even if he got it.

I think it’s going to be Brian Rice
 
#62
#62
It really is. It will be hard for anyone to ever have the relationship with the fans that Ward had just due to the availability of all the games. Back in the day, there were several games a year where the radio call was all you got and you had to hang on every word.

Truth. While in school here in the early '80's, listening to Ward was the only option. I never felt like I missed anything and remember many of his vintage calls. As great as he was doing football, it was hoops where he was at his best.
 
#63
#63
I quit listening to CBS shortly after Danielson came onbroad, so Vol Network became my go to instead of listening to the TV commentary. Although I've never met Bob personally, he feels like an old friend to me and like with my other old friends, I overlook their faults and quirks. I wish you well in retirement, my old friend.
 
#65
#65
Just let it be Morgan Wallen. He’s already surpassed Dolly in having a 4th quarter song. May as well elevate him above John Ward also. Give him his own XM radio station and YouTube stream.
 
#70
#70
Mr Kesling started his career at UT and has been a class act. Hope he has a happy retirement

Mike Keith would be great and definitely make that call initially but unless he is tired of watching bad football or wants to return to Knoxville doubt he leaves Nashville.
Yep Mike is a native Nashvillian so would not think he wants to return to Knoxville. But he should get the first call
 
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#71
#71
It really is. It will be hard for anyone to ever have the relationship with the fans that Ward had just due to the availability of all the games. Back in the day, there were several games a year where the radio call was all you got and you had to hang on every word.
Back then you could go fishing and still catch what was being broadcasted at the time.
 
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