KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The Vol Network will launch its 77th season of Tennessee football coverage this fall and feature a gameday broadcast team headlined by new “Voice of the Vols” Mike Keith.
VFL and 11-year NFL standout Ramon Foster will join Keith as the new booth analyst. In addition, Vol Network stalwarts Brent Hubbs and VFL Jayson Swain will return with expanded roles.
Foster starred for the Vols from 2005-08 after redshirting in 2004. A team captain, he played in 44 games with 28 offensive line starts and was a second-team All-SEC honoree on the Vols’ 2007 SEC Eastern Division championship team.
Foster joined the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2009 where he established himself as one of the most consistent and respected players during his tenure. In total, Foster started 145 of the 160 games he played in from 2009-19 with both of those figures ranking as the second most in team history at the guard position. A member of four AFC North divisional championship teams, he still works closely with the NFL and NFLPA.
Foster has been a mainstay on Vol Network affiliate 104.5 FM The Zone in Nashville since August of 2020. He co-hosts Ramon, Kayla and Will on the station weekdays from 6-10 a.m. CT. He served as the sideline reporter for Tennessee Titans radio the past two seasons, and he hosts The Ramon Foster Show, a podcast focused on Steelers’ coverage.
“We are thrilled to congratulate Ramon Foster on his exciting new role as the color analyst for the Vol Network, representing the SEC powerhouse University of Tennessee Volunteers,” said Allison Warren, VP/Market Manager with Cumulus Nashville. As a former player for Tennessee, this is truly a homecoming for Ramon, and we couldn’t be more pleased to see him join the Vol Network family.
“Ramon has been a strong and influential voice for 104.5 The Zone and Zone TV, with over 11 seasons in the NFL and a successful college playing career. This is a natural next step for him, and we are incredibly proud of his achievements. The Zone and Zone TV have been long-time partners of the Vol Network, and we are honored to continue our collaboration as the Nashville affiliate airing the Vol Network. Congratulations, Ramon!”
Entering his fifth season on the network, Swain will provide analysis and be joined by Foster and Hubbs on “Big Orange Countdown.” Swain will co-host the broadcast’s halftime and postgame shows. The VFL and team captain starred for the Vols from 2003-06 and was a member of the Vols’ 2004 SEC Eastern Division title team. He signed with the Chicago Bears and still ranks seventh all-time in UT career receptions with 126.
Swain co-hosts the Josh and Swain show weekdays from noon-3 p.m. ET on 99.1 FM The Sports Animal in Knoxville. He has hosted his own podcast, The Swain Event, since 2009.
Hubbs will serve as sideline reporter, giving fans updates from the field throughout the game. The 32-year Vol Network veteran will continue to host “Big Orange Countdown” to kick off the network’s pregame coverage. He will also conduct the Vol Network’s exclusive postgame interview with Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel.
Keith returned to Rocky Top earlier this year after spending the last 26 years as the “Voice of the Tennessee Titans.” 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.
Fans will get a preview of the new broadcast team for the Orange & White Game presented by Cherokee Resorts & Entertainment on April 12 in Neyland Stadium. Vol Network radio affiliates will be on the air at 2 p.m. ET, including locally in Knoxville on WNML-FM 99.1 and AM 990. A live audio stream will also be available on UTsports.com and the Tennessee Athletics App.
Tickets for the spring game are on sale now at AllVols.com.
Stations … stand by.
