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.

High still ranks among Chattanooga’s most influential Black sports figures

by Gene Henley ·February 18, 2023

As hard as Robert High resisted becoming a coach, it turns out that it was just ingrained in him.

Staff photo by Matt Hamilton / Former longtime Brainerd basketball coach Robert High, shown Friday at his home with a basketball marking his 1,001st victory, continues to make an impact on the Chattanooga sports scene through the players and coaches he influenced.

UTC’s Sam Alexis went from JV prep player to college contributor in a hurry

by Gene Henley ·February 17, 2023

The caption on the latest Instagram post by UTC freshman forward Sam Alexis said it all.

Staff file photo by Olivia Ross / UTC forward Sam Alexis, right, scored 26 points in last week's home win against Mercer. The 6-foot-9 freshman has played more minutes recently with star center Jake Stephens out indefinitely due to injury.

Walker Valley alum Brody Swafford took long route to UTC

by Gene Henley ·February 17, 2023

Brody Swafford always wanted to play football at UTC. Now that the former Walker Valley standout is finally with the Mocs, he's eager to contribute.

Staff photo by Matt Hamilton / UTC redshirt sophomore Brody Swafford takes part in a drill during a spring practice session Wednesday at Scrappy Moore Field. Swafford prepped at Walker Valley.

Plenty of new Mocs mix with familiar faces as spring football practice begins

by Gene Henley ·February 6, 2023

For the first time since taking over as University of Tennessee at Chattanooga head coach prior to the 2019 season, the roster completely has been shaped in Rusty Wright's image.

Staff photo by Troy Stolt / University of Tennessee at Chattanooga linebacker Jay Person, last season's Southern Conference Defensive Player of the Year, is back to help lead the defense as spring practice begins.

Chattanooga’s Madison Hayes doing ‘a lot of things’ in second season at N.C. State

by Gene Henley ·February 5, 2023

East Hamilton grad embraces role as star defender

AP photo by Charlie Neibergall / N.C. State guard Madison Hayes, right, drives around Iowa forward McKenna Warnock during an ACC/Big Ten Challenge game on Dec. 1 in Iowa City. Hayes, who is from Chattanooga and was a prep star at East Hamilton, is in her second season at N.C. State after playing her freshman year at Mississippi State.

UTC adds former Tyner star Jeremiah Batiste as mid-year transfer

by Gene Henley ·February 1, 2023

It's hard to tell who was happier about Jeremiah Batiste's decision to leave Miami University in Ohio and transfer to UTC: Batiste or his mom.

Staff file photo / After three seasons at Miami University in Ohio, former two-way Tyner star Jeremiah Batiste has transferred to UTC, where he is expected to contribute in the secondary.

UTC football program expected to add to early haul during 2nd signing period

by Gene Henley ·January 31, 2023

With the second football signing day taking place Wednesday, the Times Free Press takes a look at three things you need to know about the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga program.

Staff photo by Matt Hamilton / Head coach Rusty Wright talks to his team at the close of practice at Scrappy Moore Field on Thursday, November 10, 2022.

UTC men unable to stop Wofford late as slump continues

by Gene Henley ·January 25, 2023

Despite a much better effort in the finale of a three-game homestand, the UTC men's basketball team dropped its fourth straight contest.

Staff photo by Olivia Ross / UTC's Khristion Courseault brings the ball upcourt as Wofford's Adam Silas gets set to defend during Wednesday night's SoCon game at McKenzie Arena.

Alabama highlights 2023 UTC football schedule

by Gene Henley ·January 24, 2023

The last time the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga ended a football season with a trip to Alabama the Mocs advanced to the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs.

Staff Photo by Robin Rudd / Ailym Ford will be one of the few recognizable names returning for the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga football team in the 2023 season.

With Stephens out, Mocs searching for production at both ends of the court

by Gene Henley ·January 24, 2023

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga men's basketball program suffered a massive loss recently when star Jake Stephens went down with a hand injury, one that is going to keep him out for the foreseeable future.