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.

Mocs do extensive long-range damage in win over Oakwood

by Gene Henley ·December 9, 2025

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga men's basketball team picked up a 103-46 win over NAIA Oakwood to improve to 5-5 on the season Tuesday at McKenzie Arena.

Staff Photo by Robin Rudd / UTC's Jordan Frison (5) pulls up in the lane and looks to pass. The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga hosted the Oakwood University Ambassadors in a men's basketball game, at McKenzie Arena, on Dec. 9, 2025.

Corbitt, strong second half propel UTC to win over Knights

by Gene Henley ·December 7, 2025

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga women's basketball team had a poor first half before turning it on late and defeating Bellarmine 78-73 to improve to 5-5 on the season.

Staff Photo by Robin Rudd / UTC's Gianna Corbitt (22) shoots a three-point shot. The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Mocs hosted the Bellarmine Knights in a NCAA basketball game, at McKenzie Arena, on Dec. 7, 2025.

Shorthanded Mocs fall at home to SEMO

by Gene Henley ·December 6, 2025

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga men's basketball team fell to 4-5 on the season Saturday with a 74-70 loss at home to Southeast Missouri.

Staff Photo by Robin Rudd / UTC's Jordan Prison (5) is fouled by Southeast's Troy Cole Jr.. The University of
Tennessee at Chattanooga Mocs hosted the Southeast Missouri State University Redhawks in a NCAA basketball game, at McKenzie Arena, on Dec. 6, 2025.

Longtime UTC equipment manager Mike Royster mourned

by Gene Henley ·December 6, 2025

Mike Royster, the longtime former University of Tennessee at Chattanooga equipment manager, passed away Friday.

UTC contributed photo/Mike Royster, center, poses with some of the UTC equipment managers in a 1987 UTC photo. Royster, a 2004 UTC Hall of Famer, passed away Friday.

Wright hopes to develop Mocs’ new football signees for long haul

by Gene Henley ·December 3, 2025

UTC head coach Rusty Wright spoke Wednesday afternoon with an understanding of where his football program stands.

Staff file photo by Matt Hamilton / For UTC football coach Rusty Wright, the 2026 season will mark his eighth in charge of the Mocs, who announced 12 new players signed to the program Wednesday.

Meet the newest UTC football signees

by Gene Henley ·December 3, 2025

Wednesday began the three-day early signing period for prep football players nationally in the class of 2026.

Staff file photo by Matt Hamilton / Silverdale Baptist Academy's Titus Hinkle, left, tackles Franklin Road Academy's Jayden Rush on Nov. 15, 2024. Rush was among the dozen players who signed with UTC's football program Wednesday.

UTC men can’t overcome poor first half in loss to Tennessee State

by Gene Henley ·November 30, 2025

The UTC men's basketball team finished the first month of a new season 4-4 after Sunday's home loss to Tennessee State ended a couple of streaks for the Mocs.

Staff photo by Robin Rudd / UTC's Billy Smith passes during the Mocs' game against Tennessee State in the Coke Zero Sugar Classic finale Sunday at McKenzie Arena. The Mocs lost 70-64, ending a three-game winning streak overall and a nine-game run of home wins dating to last season.

UTC women take buzzer-beating loss day after last-second win

by Gene Henley ·November 29, 2025

The high-top was on the other foot for the UTC women in the championship game of the CBU Classic on Saturday in Riverside, California.

Staff file photo by Robin Rudd / UTC women's basketball coach Desandra Schirmer talks to the Mocs during a home game against Austin Peay on Nov. 20 at McKenzie Arena. The Mocs lost 66-64 to UC Santa Barbara in the championship game of the CBU Classic on Saturday in Riverside, Calif.

UTC men share scoring load in rout of Tennessee Wesleyan

by Gene Henley ·November 28, 2025

The UTC men's basketball team improved to 4-3 this season with Friday's home win over Tennessee Wesleyan in the Coke Zero Sugar Classic at McKenzie Arena.

Staff file photo by Seth Carpenter / Jordan Frison scored 17 points to lead the UTC men's basketball team to a 50-point home win against Tennessee Wesleyan on Friday at McKenzie Arena.

UTC’s Caia Elisaldez hits winning free throws in return to California

by Gene Henley ·November 28, 2025

UTC guard Caia Elisaldez made two free throws with 1.1 seconds remaining to lift the Mocs to a win over Sacramento State on Friday at the CBU Classic in Riverside, California.