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.

UTC women’s star Caia Elisaldez takes on team leader role this season

by Gene Henley ·November 2, 2025

Caia Elisaldez was the UTC women's basketball team's best player in the 2024-25 season. There was no doubt about that.

Staff photo by Abby White / UTC guard Caia Elisaldez drives toward the basket as Wofford's Libby Privett defends. during a SoCon game at McKenzie Arena on March 1. Elisaldez established herself as one of the SoCon's top players last season while starring for the Mocs, but this year she's being asked to be a leader for the team as well.

McMinn County wins, spoils East Hamilton bid for region title

by Gene Henley ·October 31, 2025

McMinn County will travel in the first round of the playoffs next week, but the Cherokees closed the regular season with a confidence-building home win.

Staff file photo by Robin Rudd / McMinn County coach Bo Cagle's football team closed the regular season with a region win at home against East Hamilton on Friday night.

Mocs expect little things to be huge against Western Carolina

by Gene Henley ·October 31, 2025

UTC is on a three-game winning streak this football season, but the Mocs have lost their past three meetings with Western Carolina in a trio of close encounters.

Staff photo by Matt Hamilton / UTC football coach Rusty Wright talks to an official during a timeout in the Mocs' game against SoCon rival East Tennessee State on Oct. 18 at Finley Stadium.

UTC’s young defense to face stiff challenge vs. Western Carolina

by Gene Henley ·October 30, 2025

It's been a crash course for the UTC defense this football season. Now the Mocs are about to run into another big challenge.

Staff photo by Matt Hamilton / East Tennessee State receiver Jeremiah Harrison (8) is surrounded by, from left, UTC’s Kristian Ozane, Kaelin Drakeford and Jeremiah Batiste during a SoCon game on Oct. 18 at Finley Stadium.

Mocs counting on O-line, ground game against Western Carolina

by Gene Henley ·October 29, 2025

Moving the football through the air hasn't been too much trouble for UTC in its past three meetings with Western Carolina.

Staff photo by Matt Hamilton / UTC quarterback Camden Orth hands off to running back Justus Durant during a SoCon game against East Tennessee State on Oct. 18 at Finley Stadium.

In UTC’s rout of Samford, young players did their part for defense

by Gene Henley ·October 26, 2025

UTC football coach Rusty Wright admits it: He was also counting just how many freshmen the defense had on the field during Saturday's game at Samford.

GoMocs.com photo by Laura O'Dell / UTC's defense benefited from contributions by multiple young players during Saturday's 49-13 win at Samford, including redshirt freshmen Gavin Helton, left, and Chase Feggins, center. Also pictured is UTC junior Solomon Locke (20), who led the team in rushing with 115 yards on five carries, including two touchdowns.

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Mocs analysis: UTC’s streak adds weight to Western Carolina game

by Gene Henley ·October 26, 2025

UTC beat writer Gene Henley breaks down the Mocs' win at Samford.

GoMocs.com photo by Laura O'Dell / UTC quarterback Camden Orth scores a touchdown during Saturday's SoCon win against Samford in Birmingham, Ala.

Mocs beat Samford on road for third straight win, 3-1 start in SoCon

by Gene Henley ·October 25, 2025

The UTC football team used a big second half to pull away from Samford in the second half and roll to a Southern Conference victory on the road Saturday.

GoMocs.com photo by Laura O'Dell / UTC receiver A.J. Little scored two touchdowns Saturday, one on a punt return and the other on a catch, as the Mocs beat Samford 49-13 in a SoCon game in Birmingham, Ala.

Five storylines for UTC men entering 2025-26 basketball season

by Gene Henley ·October 25, 2025

Last season, the UTC men's basketball program won a SoCon regular-season title and the NIT championship. What's in store this time around?

Staff photo by Matt Hamilton / UTC men's basketball coach Dan Earl instructs the Mocs on Tuesday at the Chattem Basketball Practice Facility. Earl is entering his fourth season as head coach in Chattanooga and with the Mocs the reigning NIT champions.

Jikari Johnson puts on UTC No. 3 basketball jersey with high standard

by Gene Henley ·October 25, 2025

For a well-traveled athlete like Jikari Johnson, who has donned multiple jerseys in his college days, it was just another number.