Gene Henley

Gene has covered sports in the Chattanooga area since 2008 and has ascended from covering preps to colleges in his time. He primarily covers UTC athletics, a job he's held from 2013-18 and again since 2020, having spent two seasons covering Tennessee pre-pandemic. Gene played four seasons of college basketball and has a 20-year son named Judah who plays at Central Missouri in Warrensburg, Missouri.

Contact Gene Henley at ghenley@timesfreepress.com.

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UTC receiver Taylor Crumedy’s growth could pay off this fall

by Gene Henley ·April 4, 2026

Taylor Crumedy has always done a good job with whatever UTC football coaches have asked of him. The first thing was to gain some weight.

Staff file photo / UTC receiver Taylor Crumedy could be in line for a bigger role with the Mocs this year. He redshirted in 2024 before appearing in 10 of 12 games during the 2025 season, though mostly on special teams.

UTC men pick up portal commitment; Parker Robison plans to transfer

by Gene Henley ·April 3, 2026

The UTC men's basketball program finally has the expectation of getting something back from the NCAA transfer portal when a 15-day window opens next week.

Staff photo by Matt Hamilton / UTC men's basketball coach Dan Earl talks with sophomore guard Parker Robison during a Feb. 22 game against The Citadel at McKenzie Arena. Robison, a Chattanooga native who prepped at McCallie and was a walk-on player at UTC, plans to enter the NCAA transfer portal when it opens Tuesday.

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UTC grad Omar Wattad one win from NCAA Division II title as Lander coach

by Gene Henley ·April 2, 2026

Even during his days as UTC guard, Omar Wattad had an eye on becoming a head coach. Now he's one win from adding a national championship to his resumé.

Lander University photo / Lander University men's basketball coach Omar Wattad, a UTC grad who played for the Mocs his final two college seasons, has the Bearcats in the NCAA Division II national championship game in his sixth season with the program. Lander, located in Greenwood, S.C., will face Gannon University of Erie, Pa., for the title Sunday afternoon in Indianapolis.

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UTC running back Journey Wyche muscles up in bid for consistency

by Gene Henley ·April 2, 2026

Journey Wyche could easily be considered one of the old heads among UTC's current running backs.

Staff file photo by Matt Hamilton / UTC running back Journey Wyche (10) is back for a third season with the Mocs and could have a bigger role if he follows up his offseason progress in the weight room with more consistency on the field.

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In fourth year at UTC, Matthew Clemmer ready to compete in QB battle

by Gene Henley ·April 1, 2026

As a UTC freshman, Matthew Clemmer took every mental rep possible at quarterback. He was almost asked to do something even bigger, though.

Staff file photo / UTC quarterback Matthew Clemmer (12) is going through spring practices in preparation for his fourth season with the Mocs. While he has appeared in just three games for UTC, he has spent more time in the program than the other quarterbacks on the roster.

UTC women’s assistant basketball coach Kelly to head KSU program

by Gene Henley ·March 31, 2026

University of Tennessee at Chattanooga women's basketball assistant coach Tianni Kelly has accepted the position of head coach at Kennesaw State.

UTC photo by Ray Soldano/University of Tennessee at Chattanooga assistant coach Tianni Kelly shouts instruction during a game against East Tennessee State on Feb. 12. Kelly was announced as the new head coach at Kennesaw State Monday.

UTC partners with Influxer for NIL

by Gene Henley ·March 30, 2026

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga announced on Monday that it has expanded its Name, Image and Likeness arsenal with the addition of Influxer, which will create more opportunities for over 300 athletes as well as spirit groups.

Staff photo by Abby White / UTC Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Mark Wharton said he is excited about the NIL possibilities for student-athletes within the school's athletic department.

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Mocs see benefits of roster retention in first week of spring football

by Gene Henley ·March 27, 2026

A year ago, hit by a wave of players entering the transfer portal, the UTC football program's plan for spring practice was simply to stay above water.

Staff photo by Larry Sullivan II / UTC football players lift tackle wheels Thursday on Scrappy Moore Field. The Mocs began spring practice Tuesday, starting later than in recent seasons under coach Rusty Wright in response to changes to the NCAA transfer portal calendar.

UTC big man Collin Mulholland plans to enter transfer portal

by Gene Henley ·March 26, 2026

Collin Mulholland, who has spent his entire college basketball career at UTC, plans to enter the NCAA transfer portal when the 15-day window opens April 7.

Staff photo by Matt Hamilton / UTC redshirt sophomore Collin Mulholland shoots as Wofford's Brian Sumpter defends during a SoCon game on Jan. 29 at McKenzie Arena.

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UTC edge rusher Jestin Gilmore ready to lead as fifth-year senior

by Gene Henley ·March 25, 2026

UTC edge rusher Jestin Gilmore has embraced the adversity that comes with being a college athlete.