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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Taking a chance at UTC works out for former McCallie standout

by Gene Henley ·February 14, 2025

It didn't take very long for Parker Robison to realize he made the right choice by walking on to join the UTC men's basketball team.

Staff photo by Matt Hamilton / UTC men's basketball players, including freshman guard Parker Robison, second from right, sign autographs and visit with fans during the Mocs' Boo and Gold Halloween event at McKenzie Arena on Oct. 29.

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Luke Schomburg stuck with UTC football team as others moved on

by Gene Henley ·February 12, 2025

Redshirt junior quarterback looks to take on leadership role for Mocs in 2025

Staff photo by Matt Hamilton / UTC quarterback Luke Schomburg passes during practice Wednesday at Scrappy Moore Field. Schomburg, who joined the Mocs out of high school as part of their 2022 signing class and redshirted that fall, is competing for the No. 1 role after making spot starts the past two years.

Five questions as UTC kicks off spring football practice

by Gene Henley ·February 9, 2025

It's time for another early start to spring practices for the UTC football team, which is set for a Monday morning return to Scrappy Moore Field.

Staff file photo by Matt Hamilton / UTC defensive end Marquise Freeman, left, could be a key player in a front seven that has lost six starters from the 2024 season. The Mocs are set to begin five weeks of spring football practices Monday.

UT system president says ‘flawed’ NIL situation requires big change

by Gene Henley ·February 6, 2025

Although there is no obvious solution to addressing inequality in NIL compensation for college athletes, Randy Boyd wouldn't mind trying to find one.

Staff photo by Abby White / Randy Boyd, left, the president of the University of Tennessee system, speaks during a panel discussion, “The Economics of Sports,” on Thursday at UTC. At center is Times Free Press columnist Jay Greeson, the discussion's moderator, with panelist Brad Humphreys, a professor of economics at West Virginia University, at right.

Ringgold graduate ready to be leader for softball Mocs in 2025

by Gene Henley ·February 6, 2025

UTC softball coach Frank Reed wanted Baileigh Pitts in the starting lineup last season, her first with the Mocs.

GoMocs.com photo by Ray Soldano / UTC junior Baileigh Pitts, a former Ringgold High School softball standout, contributed for the Mocs in multiple ways last season while making starts as an outfielder, catcher and designated player for the Southern Conference regular-season and tournament champions. The Mocs are set to open their 2025 schedule Friday.

Marion’s Myles Mays parlays prep success into opportunity at UTC

by Gene Henley ·February 5, 2025

Myles Mays was good enough to play varsity football as a high school freshman. He just wasn't sure what came next after he got his first sack.

Staff photo by Matt Hamilton / Marion County senior defensive lineman Myles Mays, left, closes in on visiting York Institute quarterback Nathaniel Tipton during a TSSAA Class 2A semifinal on Nov. 29 in Jasper, Tenn. Mays has signed with UTC as one of 17 additions from the high school ranks in the Mocs' class of 23 for the current recruiting cycle.

UTC’s list of signees for 2025 grows to 23 with a dozen additions

by Gene Henley ·February 5, 2025

Wednesday began the second signing period for NCAA Division I football programs in the current recruiting cycle, and UTC announced 12 additions.

AP file photo by Rick Osentoski / Camden Orth, a former Bowling Green quarterback, has joined UTC as a January enrollee in the Mocs' current recruiting class for the 2025 signing cycle.

Top five Chattanooga-area players in men’s and women’s college basketball this season

by Gene Henley ·February 4, 2025

The final month of college basketball's regular season is underway.

Staff file photo / Former Cleveland High School star JaCobi Wood is having a strong season for Murray State and is one of several college players with Chattanooga area ties to excel this season.

UTC’s Kalifa Ford, Taylor Searcey grow together off court during season lost to injury

by Gene Henley ·January 29, 2025

Kalifa Ford and Taylor Searcey transferred to UTC as veteran college basketball players.

Staff photo by Matt Hamilton / From left, UTC basketball players Taylor Searcey and Kalifa Ford, out for the season due to injuries, watch as the Mocs host East Tennessee State in a SoCon game last Saturday at McKenzie Arena.

Versatile Champion proving to be a winning addition for Mocs

by Gene Henley ·January 28, 2025

Frank Champion recalled a conversation with his father during the summer, after having spent a couple of months training as one of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga's biggest basketball recruits in the previous cycle.