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.

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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.

Staff photo by Matt Hamilton/ CCS (15) Hannah Smith celebrates her team going up 3-0 on Baylor early during their softball match on the first day of the Spring Fling in Murfreesboro on Tuesday, May 19, 2026.

Born to dominate: Fun facts about Spain national team star Lamine Yamal

by Patrick MacCoon ·June 8, 2026

The most valuable football player in the world is calling Chattanooga home for the month of June.

Staff Photo by Patrick MacCoon / Spanish national team forward Lamine Yamal signs autographs for fans at the Baylor School on Saturday, June 6 in a community training session. Chattanooga is the home base for Spain for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which begins on June 11 and ends on July 19.

Lamine Yamal makes young fans’ dreams come true at Baylor

by Patrick MacCoon ·June 7, 2026

Spanish national team star signs hundreds of autographs

Staff Photo by Patrick MacCoon / Spanish national team 18-year-old sensation Lamine Yamal signs autographs for fans during a community training session at Baylor School. The practice was the first for Spain at its home base for the first phase of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

World Cup championship for Spain could catapult Chattanooga soccer scene into another ‘stratosphere’

by Patrick MacCoon ·June 6, 2026

Lately, in the small town of Aviles, Spain, as Kate Price makes her way around the port city where she is studying abroad at Colegio San Fernando, she is stopped by locals who recognize the Baylor School emblem on some of her shirts.

Staff Photo by Patrick MacCoon / The Baylor School soccer field has been kept pristine over the past month in preparation for the arrival of the Spanish national team, which selected Chattanooga as its home base for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Meet ‘La Roja’: 7 things to know about the Spanish national team

by Patrick MacCoon ·June 4, 2026

The Scenic City is adorned in red and yellow as the Spanish national team is set to arrive Friday for a lengthy stay at its new home away from home for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Staff photo by Patrick MacCoon / Baylor School has transitioned its soccer clubhouse into a training locker room for the Spanish national team ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Spain will practice at Baylor during its stay in Chattanooga.

Mark Smith looks to lead resurgence of Howard basketball program

by Patrick MacCoon ·June 1, 2026

Seeking a resurgence on the hardwood, Howard High School has named former Brainerd star Mark Smith, who also played at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, as its new boys' basketball coach.

Staff File Photo / James Talley has stepped down as Howard High School boys' basketball coach. Former Brainerd star Mark Smith has been named as the new head coach.

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Sonoraville grad makes most of early start to college softball career

by Patrick MacCoon ·May 31, 2026

Lila Mullinax might finally have time to review what has been a whirlwind past six months that took her from Sonoraville High School to the University of North Georgia.

Staff photo by Patrick MacCoon / University of North Georgia freshman Lila Mullinax, who helped Sonoraville High School to the GHSA Class AA state title in November, warms up for a game in the NCAA Division II softball tournament Saturday at Frost Stadium in Chattanooga.

Chattanooga Lookouts slugger Ruben Ibarra a fan favorite at Erlanger Park

by Patrick MacCoon ·May 28, 2026

In light of Ruben Ibarra's 6-foot-3, 290-pound frame and his status as a fan favorite for the Chattanooga Lookouts, maybe they should call the slugging first baseman "Big Popular."

Staff photo by Larry Sullivan II / Ruben Ibarra plays first base for the Chattanooga Lookouts as they host the Montgomery Biscuits in a Double-A Southern League matchup on April 14 for the inaugural game at Erlanger Park.

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Marion County proud of state runner-up finish in Class 2A softball

by Patrick MacCoon ·May 23, 2026

For a brief moment early in Saturday's TSSAA Class 2A state final, the Marion County softball team's well-traveled fans got the chance to celebrate.

Staff photo by Patrick MacCoon / The Marion County softball program made history as the Lady Warriors competed in a TSSAA state final for the first time Saturday, falling short of the championship with a 10-1 loss to Community in the Class 2A title game at Shelbyville Central High School.

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Seven starters for GPS softball team transferring after deep playoff run

by Patrick MacCoon ·May 22, 2026

Parents of departing players express frustration with school, cite lack of support