Patrick MacCoon

Patrick MacCoon is an avid sports lover who joined the Chattanooga Times Free Press January 2, 2019. He covers prep sports along with the Chattanooga Football Club and Chattanooga Lookouts. Patrick is a fan of Atlanta professional sports and began reading newspapers at an early age to analyze the MLB box scores. He is a graduate from Red Bank High School and the University of Tennessee (Knoxville).

Contact Patrick MacCoon at pmaccoon@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6311.

Nuttall’s work led to memorable Spanish team stay

by Patrick MacCoon ·June 28, 2026

"Seeing Chattanooga play a role on the global soccer scene is surreal," Nuttall said.

Staff photo by Patrick MacCoon / Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly, left, and Bill Nuttall, right, speak ahead of the Spanish national team's training session Saturday, June 27 at Baylor School. Nuttall's expertise and contacts in the soccer realm helped Chattanooga become a base camp for one of the FIFA World Cup favorites.

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Spain aims to win World Cup group while facing Uruguay in Mexico

by Patrick MacCoon ·June 25, 2026

Lamine Yamal boarded the Spanish national team bus in downtown Chattanooga with a red WWE Universal Championship belt wrapped around his shoulder.

Staff photo by Patrick MacCoon / Spain forwards Lamine Yamal, front left, and Nico Williams, front right, talk during practice Wednesday at Baylor School. Spain faces Uruguay in a World Cup Group H finale Friday night in Guadalajara, Mexico.

Mini Lamine Yamal look-a-like goes viral after meeting Spain superstar

by Patrick MacCoon ·June 22, 2026

Just hours after scoring what Lamine Yamal said was the "most important goal of my life" in Spain's 4-0 victory over Saudi Arabia in the FIFA World Cup, the 18-year-old star took time to visit outside the front of the Embassy Suites in downtown Chattanooga with a special young fan.

Staff Photo by Patrick MacCoon / Leo Carbajal, left, and his father Alejandro pose in downtown Chattanooga with a Spain flag signed by national team star Lamine Yamal after Sunday's 4-0 FIFA World Cup victory over Saudi Arabia. Leo, 7, went viral on Father's Day as Yamal posted his young look-a-like's photo on his Instagram page after scoring a goal in his first World Cup start.

Spain ready to bounce back vs. Saudi Arabia after World Cup reality check

by Patrick MacCoon ·June 19, 2026

Spain's surprising scoreless draw with Cape Verde in the World Cup opener for both teams hasn't killed La Roja's confidence.

Staff photo by Patrick MacCoon / Spain midfielder Pedri, who played well in the team's scoreless draw against Cape Verde in the FIFA World Cup opener for both teams Monday, will try to add another good performance when La Roja takes on Saudi Arabia at noon Sunday inside Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

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Sonoraville’s Sam Dixon has memorable moment in All-Star Classic victory

by Patrick MacCoon ·June 17, 2026

Sam Dixon was racing out of the box and sprinting for second base after barreling up a pitch in Tuesday's Tennessee-Georgia All-Star Baseball Classic.

Staff photo by Patrick MacCoon / Sonoraville's Sam Dixon (18) celebrates after hitting a home run in Tuesday's Tennessee-Georgia All-Star Baseball Classic at Ridgeland High School. Dixon was honored as the game's MVP after he drove in four runs in a 7-1 victory for Georgia.

Spanish national team enjoying home base in Chattanooga for FIFA World Cup

by Patrick MacCoon ·June 14, 2026

Written inside the main elevator at the Embassy Suites downtown is a simple yet important message to the Spanish national team.

Staff photo by Patrick MacCoon / Spanish national 18-year-old superstar Lamine Yamal is all smiles during a June 12, 2026, training session at Baylor School ahead of his team's FIFA World Cup opener against Cape Verde on June 15 in Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium

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Chattanooga Christian hires Roy Heintz to lead girls’ basketball team

by Patrick MacCoon ·June 12, 2026

Roy Heintz, hired this week as head coach for girls' basketball at Chattanooga Christian, comes to the role with a wide range of experience. And plenty of it.

Contributed photo / Roy Heintz, left, shown with Pro Football Hall of Fame linebacker Ray Lewis, has been hired as Chattanooga Christian School's next girls' basketball coach.

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Chattanooga coaches react to TSSAA adding shot clock: ‘It’s about time’

by Patrick MacCoon ·June 10, 2026

The shot clock will be implemented into TSSAA basketball games starting next season.

Staff photo by Larry Sullivan II / Chattanooga Prep's Reid Conley makes a layup during the TSSAA Region 2-2A tournament title game against Tellico Plains on March 5. The TSSAA will begin to implement a 35-second shot clock during the 2026-27 basketball season, with plans for the device to be fully implemented across the state by the 2029-30 season.

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Black, Butler, Raby lead Tennessee softball all-stars past Georgia

by Patrick MacCoon ·June 9, 2026

KK Butler ran across the turf softball field at Frost Stadium, enjoying her final moments in a Boyd Buchanan softball uniform as she chased behind one of her favorite little fans in Warren Bowles.

Staff photo by Patrick MacCoon / Chattanooga Christian's Kylie Black was named the Tennessee Player of the Game in the 28th annual Tennessee-Georgia All-Star Softball Classic as the Lipscomb University signee struck out seven in shutout innings to lead an 11-5 win Tuesday at Frost Stadium.

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Hannah Smith’s softball journey coming full-circle at UTC’s Frost Stadium

by Patrick MacCoon ·June 8, 2026

Hannah Smith was seemingly born to wear the navy blue and old gold.