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 challenge early, but FCS No. 3 Tarleton State proves to be too much

by Gene Henley ·September 20, 2025

Sometimes, reality hurts. And reality struck the UTC football team Saturday night in its battle against Tarleton State.

GoMocs.com photo by Laura O'Dell / UTC running back Justus Durant (2) looks toward the sideline after his 27-yard touchdown in the first quarter of Saturday's game against FCS No. 3 Tarleton State in Stephenville, Texas.

Bradley Central finds second-half solution to beat Red Bank

by Gene Henley ·September 19, 2025

After a lackluster first half against Red Bank, Bradley Central football coach Damon Floyd had a simple message for his offensive coaching staff: Get the ball to Brayden Carroll.

Staff photo by Matt Hamilton / Red Bank's DeSean Davison, left, can't make the tackle as host Bradley Central's Padon Parker Price carries the ball during Friday night's game in Cleveland, Tenn.

Mocs excited about challenge of trip to FCS No. 3 Tarleton State

by Gene Henley ·September 19, 2025

When UTC's 2025 football schedule was put together, there was probably an expectation the roster would look vastly different than it did at the time.

Staff photo by Abby White / UTC's Markell Quick jumps and turns to catch a pass during the Mocs' 63-0 win against Stetson last Saturday at Finley Stadium.

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UTC running back Journey Wyche breaks out after tough offseason, slow start

by Gene Henley ·September 18, 2025

With a challenging road game this weekend and then the start of Southern Conference play, UTC needs all of its key players to be up to speed.

UTC Athletics photo by Ray Soldano / UTC sophomore running back Journey Wyche celebrates after his 78-yard touchdown during the Mocs' 63-0 win against Stetson last Saturday at Finley Stadium.

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UTC’s Ky Tayo works his way into bigger role on defensive line

by Gene Henley ·September 17, 2025

Like most position groups for the 2025 UTC football team, defensive tackle was a spot where opportunities were available entering the season.

GoMocs.com photo by Laura O'Dell / UTC's Ky Tayo, right, and Noah Livingston line up on defense before a snap during the Aug. 30 season opener at Memphis. Tayo, a redshirt junior, is part of the rotation at defensive tackle for the Mocs this season, with his role at UTC growing each year since he joined the program as a Georgia Southern transfer in 2023.

UTC’s rushing success Saturday could provide blueprint for future

by Gene Henley ·September 14, 2025

UTC set a program record by averaging 8.1 yards per carry in Saturday night's home win against Stetson, with the Mocs running the ball 55 times and gaining 445 yards.

Staff file photo by Matt Hamilton / UTC running back Justus Durant gained 105 yards on 13 carries in Saturday night's 63-0 home win against Stetson. Durant was one of four UTC players who ran for at least 94 yards as the Mocs finished with 445 rushing yards on 55 attempts and averaged a program-record 8.1 yards per carry.

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Mocs analysis: UTC didn’t waste opportunity to start hot vs. Stetson

by Gene Henley ·September 14, 2025

UTC beat writer Gene Henley breaks down the Mocs' win against Stetson.

Staff photo by Abby White / UTC quarterback Camden Orth (11) runs to the end zone for one of his three rushing touchdowns in Saturday night's 63-0 win against Stetson at Finley Stadium. Orth also passed for a pair of touchdowns.

Mocs get going on ground, blast Stetson for first win of season

by Gene Henley ·September 13, 2025

The UTC football team picked up its first win of the 2025 season on its third try but in dominant fashion.

Staff photo by Abby White / UTC's Jamarii Robinson (8) heads toward the end zone to score a touchdown in the Mocs' 63-0 victory against Stetson on Saturday night at Finley Stadium. It was the home opener for the Mocs, who cruised to their first win of the season after starting 0-2.

Red Bank uses hot start to crush East Ridge for first win of season

by Gene Henley ·September 12, 2025

Red Bank coach Ted Gatewood and his football team figured out a pretty good way to prevent the Lions from losing another close game.

Staff file photo by Matt Hamilton / Red Bank got its first win of the 2025 football season in dominant fashion Friday night, beating visiting East Ridge 47-6. The Lions improved to 1-2 while dropping the Pioneer to 3-1.

Wright says 0-2 Mocs must ‘find a way to go win a football game’

by Gene Henley ·September 12, 2025

UTC is 0-2 for the second consecutive football season. Head coach Rusty Wright is intent on the Mocs avoiding a second straight 0-3 start.