John Adams

USA TODAY NETWORK - Tennessee

Longtime Knoxville radio personality Mickey Dearstone said Thursday that he has been fired as program director and early-morning talk-show host at WNML, a member of the Cumulus Media group.

Dearstone, who had worked at the station for 36 years, said he was fired following his Tuesday morning show, "First Quarter." Although he had told the station he planned to retire in 2018, he was surprised by the timing.

"They said it was for cost-cutting reasons," said Dearstone, who had been program director since 2005. Before that, he had been the station's promotions director.

Ken Salyer, the station's vice president and marketing manager, wouldn't confirm the firing.

"We'll have an announcement at an appropriate time," he said.

The firing will not affect Dearstone's role with the Lady Vols, whose games are carried on WNML, the flagship station of Tennessee athletics.

Dearstone has been the voice of the Tennessee women's basketball team since the 1999-2000 season. He also subbed for Bob Kesling on the Lady Vols broadcasts before Kesling replaced John Ward as the play-by-play voice for Tennessee football in 1999.

"That's a separate deal," said Dearstone, who is employed by the Vol Network for play-by-play duties.

His role with the Lady Vols made him one of the most popular radio personalities in Knoxville. He also became well known as host of the "Doc, Jeff and Heather in the Morning" show, which included Jeff Jacoby and Heather Harrington since January 2006.

Jacoby, a longtime fixture on Knoxville radio, died on Christmas Day following a long battle with cancer.

The show's title was changed this year to "First Quarter." Since Dearstone's firing, Harrington and Vince Ferrara have co-hosted the show the past two days.

"I have no idea what their plan is," said Dearstone when asked about the future of the show.

Harrington said she couldn't comment on the show.

"But I owe my career to this point to Mickey and Jeff," she said. "They have been pillars of strength to me throughout our time together.

"Even though our professional relationship might have come to an end, Mickey is like a father to me and a grandfather to my son."

John Adams is a senior columnist. He may be reached at 865-342-6284 or john.adams@knoxnews.com. Follow him on Twitter: @JohnAdamsKNS