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 win season opener despite missing multiple key players

by Gene Henley ·August 27, 2026

Led by running back Kevin Lalin and a strong defense, UTC kicked off its 2026 football season Thursday night with a road win against West Georgia.

UTC photo by Ben Dodds / UTC running back Kevin Lalin looks for room to run during the Mocs' season opener Thursday night at the University of West Georgia.

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Mocs will kick off new season with a roster Rusty Wright actually knows

by Gene Henley ·August 26, 2026

It was just a year ago that UTC football coach Rusty Wright had a very big question about his team as the Mocs prepared to open the season: "Who are (most of) these guys?"

Staff Photo by Matt Hamilton / Rusty Wright, shown during UTC's first preseason practice on July 29 at Scrappy Moore Field, will open his eighth season as head coach of the Mocs when they visit West Georgia on Thursday night.

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Grateful, not excited: Cooksey gets a second chance at nickel

by Gene Henley ·August 25, 2026

Martez Cooksey's second career University of Tennessee at Chattanooga start didn't go well for him, and he lost some of his confidence as a result.

Staff photo by Matt Hamilton/ UTC (35) Martez Cooksey plays defense during a practice at Finley Stadium on Friday, March 7, 2025.

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Five bold predictions for UTC football: expect Mocs to finish top two in the league

by Gene Henley ·August 24, 2026

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga opens its season Thursday at West Georgia. Here are five bold predictions for the Mocs from beat reporter Gene Henley:

Staff photo by Matt Hamilton / Jestin Gilmore is among the defensive linemen who should help UTC have a more potent pass rush this fall

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UTC defensive breakdown: Mocs counting on added size, speed in 2026

by Gene Henley ·August 23, 2026

UTC will kick off its 2026 season Thursday night. First, though, the Times Free Press is breaking down the Mocs by position groups, with the defense up now.

Staff Photo by Seth Carpenter/ Bryce Washington, right, drills with fellow UTC junior linebacker Gavin Helton as the Mocs practice on Aug. 10 at Scrappy Moore Field.

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UTC offensive breakdown: QB Battle Alberson gets keys for opener

by Gene Henley ·August 22, 2026

UTC will kick off its 2026 season Thursday night. First, though, the Times Free Press is breaking down the Mocs by position groups, with the offense up first.

Staff Photo by Matt Hamilton / UTC quarterback Battle Alberson, shown during a July 29 practice at Scrappy Moore Field, will begin his third year with the Mocs as their starter behind center for Thursday night's opener at West Georgia.

Tyner rallies past Silverdale Baptist as Rams prove resilient again

by Gene Henley ·August 21, 2026

Tyner running back JD Hinton knew he was gone pretty quickly. Rams head coach Christian Mainor had a pretty good idea as well.

Staff Photo by Matt Hamilton / Silverdale Baptist Academy's Noah Schoening can't catch up in time as Tyner's De'Aerion McNealy takes a catch and turns it into a touchdown for the host Rams during the season opener for both teams Friday night.

Cleveland cruises past Walker Valley after facing early deficit on road

by Gene Henley ·August 20, 2026

Cleveland High School won a single football game during the 2025 season.

Staff File Photo by Matt Hamilton / Cleveland High School football coach Chris Brown got to celebrate a season-opening win with the Blue Raiders and their fans Thursday night at Walker Valley.

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UTC’s Kelley brothers kicking it together for a third season

by Gene Henley ·August 20, 2026

When Gray Kelley arrived at UTC in 2024, he figured he would get one season of football alongside his older brother, Jude, a fellow kicker then in his fifth year of college.

UTC photo / UTC's Gray Kelley kicks off in the 2025 season finale at Wofford. Gray, a third-year sophomore, has played throughout his college football career on the same team as his older brother Jude, also a kicker for the Mocs.

After lost first season at UTC, Jaden Nelson gets his shot at safety

by Gene Henley ·August 19, 2026

UTC safeties coach Wolf Shafer knew Jaden Nelson had the makings of a good addition even before the class of 2025 signee got to Chattanooga and joined the Mocs.