Brent Hubbs

[Chickenfarmer]

The biggest tragedy in radio broadcasting history is Bob Kesling following the Legendary John Ward. Anyone would have a challenge following one of the all time greats of play-by-play radio broadcasts. Poor old Bob is first a native Ohio yankee and about as dull as ax used for breaking rocks.

 

[VOLINVONORE]

Bob has done a much better job this year.

Difficult to do much worse. I will agree that he seems to have improved over the years, but he had a very long way to go. It will be a pleasure to hear someone new. I just hope they don’t screw it up again.

 

[Majors]

I’d take Wilkerson and be happy with it

Wilkerson is very underrated in narrating/calling a game. Very good in painting the picture.

 

[volfan2024]

Stan Cotten should have followed Ward imo, instead Wake Forest. Knoxville Farragut guy, Tenn sports hall of fame or greater Knoxville .

 

[dd4vols]

Thanks for the insight.
After I posted originally I realized Vol Network hires commentators.
When did Keith turn down the job? Bob took over immediately after Ward retired.
I read that Ward actually endorsed Keith to take over but they chose “Checkboards” instead.
Honestly had a run in with Bob at a barbershop once when he was still doing sports with WBIR. Long story but he seemed like a jerk to me. Walked in and cut in front of everyone, like he owned the place. Of course that was 35 years ago!

We had Bob as guest speaker for our Hall of Fame Banquet this July. He was great as the speaker, but even greater as he interacted with all the attendees and inductees before and after the banquet. Walked on the Vol football team as a kid from Ohio. Was super personable and Gracious. And his talk ( no note cards) was exceptional. So, maybe he has aged well.

 

[Zues1]

It's Bob " cheddarboards"
Lordy, I just don't understand the bro love around here for Mike Keith.

 

[SpookyAction]

We had Bob as guest speaker for our Hall of Fame Banquet this July. He was great as the speaker, but even greater as he interacted with all the attendees and inductees before and after the banquet. Walked on the Vol football team as a kid from Ohio. Was super personable and Gracious. And his talk ( no note cards) was exceptional. So, maybe he has aged well.

I would expect Kesling to shine in a rubber chicken scenario.
Good guy. Loves the Vols. Has a story and he knows how to tell it to engage the room.

I simply find him too low energy to represent the pageantry and excitement side of CFB. Tim Priest helped with the heavy lifting of engaging the fans into the narrative when he shared the booth, but I find Bob to operate too sedately and business-like for my own liking. I tend to listen to TV announcers this season. Tim Priest's retirement has me avoiding the radio broadcast, unless I am in the car going to the store for more party food.

 

[OrangeInKy]

I would expect Kesling to shine in a rubber chicken scenario.
Good guy. Loves the Vols. Has a story and he knows how to tell it to engage the room.

I simply find him too low energy to represent the pageantry and excitement side of CFB. Tim Priest helped with the heavy lifting of engaging the fans into the narrative when he shared the booth, but I find Bob to operate too sedately and business-like for my own liking. I tend to listen to TV announcers this season. Tim Priest's retirement has me avoiding the radio broadcast, unless I am in the car going to the store for more party food.

You make a good point. Having a partner who can maybe supplement a lack of energy, knowledge, etc it a huge key. We all love Bert for bball games, for that reason. Bill Anderson wasn’t like that with Ward as much because Ward brought to much emotion/excitement/energy himself.