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.

Chattanooga FC at Finley, Red Wolves travel in league semifinals this weekend

by Gene Henley ·October 28, 2022

For the first time in quite some time, it feels like the Chattanooga Football Club is back.

Staff file photo by Olivia Ross / The Chattanooga Football Club will try to build on a successful regular season when it hosts the Michigan Stars in an NISA semifinal at 5 p.m. Sunday at Finley Stadium.

UTC’s trio of D-line stars enjoy competition within group

by Gene Henley ·October 27, 2022

For UTC's defense, success starts up front with Ben Brewton, Devonnsha Maxwell and Jay Person.

Staff photo / UTC's Ben Brewton hits Western Carolina quarterback Carlos Davis as he throws during an October 2021 game at Finley Stadium. When it comes to creating backfield pressure, Brewton and fellow Mocs defensive linemen Devonnsha Maxwell and Jay Person compete with each other to be fastest and best.

UTC’s Ailym Ford works his way up program’s career rushing list

by Gene Henley ·October 26, 2022

UTC assistant coach Jacob Huesman has a special appreciation for what running back Ailym Ford offers the Mocs.

Staff photo by Matt Hamilton / UTC's Ailym Ford carries the ball as Mercer's Isaac Dowling delivers a hit during last Saturday's game at Finley Stadium. Ford rushed for 123 yards against the Bears, surpassing the 3,000 mark for his Mocs career and moving into fifth place on UTC's list of all-time rushing leaders.

UTC’s offense more than carrying its weight this season

by Gene Henley ·October 23, 2022

A great philosopher, or maybe it was the rapper Fat Joe, once coined the phrase "Yesterday's price is not today's price."

Staff photo by Matt Hamilton / UTC receiver Sam Phillips fights for yardage during Saturday's win against Mercer at Finley Stadium.

Mocs reach 4-0 in SoCon with statement win vs. Mercer

by Gene Henley ·October 22, 2022

The motivation just kept piling up for the UTC football team ahead of Mercer's visit to Finley Stadium.

Staff photo by Matt Hamilton / UTC's Kameron Brown returns an interception 53 yards for a touchdown to help the Mocs build a 10-0 lead in Saturday's game against Mercer at Finley Stadium. UTC was up 24-0 by early in the second quarter and won 41-21 to improve to 6-1 overall and 4-0 in the SoCon.

East Hamilton breaks through to beat Red Bank, win Region 3-4A title

by Gene Henley ·October 21, 2022

Kireese Willis saw the flag out of the corner of his eye.

Staff photo by Robin Rudd / East Hamilton's Kireese Willis gains yards after making a catch during Friday night's home win against Red Bank for the Region 3-4A title. Willis also returned an interception for a touchdown later in the second quarter to help lead a dominant defensive performance.

Mercer has been Mocs’ nemesis on the football field

by Gene Henley ·October 21, 2022

Life has come full circle for the UTC football program.

Staff photo by Matt Hamilton / UTC defensive back Reuben Lowery III can't wrap up Mercer's Landon Miller during a SoCon game in March 2021 at Finley Stadium. Mercer has won four of the past five series meetings with the Mocs heading into Saturday's showdown of nationally ranked teams in Chattanooga.

UTC linebackers Ty Boeck, Kam Jones share close bond

by Gene Henley ·October 20, 2022

For four seasons, Ty Boeck and Kam Jones have lined up next to each other in the middle of UTC's defense.

Staff Photo by Robin Rudd / UTC linebacker Kam Jones tackles VMI's Korey Bridy during last Saturday's SoCon game at Finley Stadium. Jones' 33 tackles this season are second on the team to Ty Boeck's 44.

Red Wolves need defense to be exceptional in USL League One playoffs

by Gene Henley ·October 19, 2022

Scoring has rarely been a problem for the Chattanooga Red Wolves this year.

Staff photo by Olivia Ross / Chattanooga Red Wolves defender Aaron Lombardi keeps the ball from going out of bounds during an April 2 match against Forward Madison at CHI Memorial Stadium in East Ridge. The Red Wolves are home again Saturday night to face Union Omaha in the opening round of the USL League One playoffs.

UTC receiver Jamoi Mayes begins to realize potential

by Gene Henley ·October 19, 2022

UTC coaches saw success coming for Jamoi Mayes. He made sure it was sooner than later.