Stephen Hargis

Stephen has covered sports in the tri-state area for the Times Free Press for more than 35 years and was named Sports Editor in February of 2015 after 10 years as assistant sports editor, where he oversaw the prep sports staff. Stephen is among the most decorated writers in the TFP newsroom, having won more than 60 awards at the state, regional and national level ranging from investigative work to feature and news writing. Stephen was named one of the top 10 sports writers in the nation at the Associated Press Sports Editors' conference in Kissimmee Fla., in 2012, and has been recognized by the Society of Professional Journalists with Green Eyeshade southeast regional awards three times. He received an Associated Press national award for a season-long story following the Taft Youth Center football team, was named the state's top overall sports writer by the AP Media Editors as well as Tennessee Sports Writers Association three times and has also been named the state's top prep writer 19 times by the TSWA. Stephen is a lifelong Chattanooga area resident and has two children, Riley and Lauren.

Contact Stephen Hargis at shargis@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6293.

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Howard athlete could revive baseball in inner-city Chattanooga

by Stephen Hargis ·February 17, 2024

The bright sunshine and unusually warm, almost spring-like temperatures the day before Christmas in 2021 painted the perfect backdrop.

Staff photo by Olivia Ross / Howard senior Camron James poses for a photo at the baseball field Jan. 31.

Meigs County names Simbeck as new football coach

by Stephen Hargis ·February 13, 2024

Nathan Simbeck has known he wanted to be a head football coach since shortly after his own high school playing days ended.

Staff Photo by Robin Rudd / Meigs County named former Boyd Buchanan offensive coordinator Nathan Simbeck as its new head football coach on Tuesday.

Hargis: Former Hixson star Daniel Bullocks reflects on Super Bowl journey as 49ers assistant

by Stephen Hargis ·February 10, 2024

Before all of the hoopla and brouhaha surrounding Super Bowl LVIII on Sunday in Las Vegas, Daniel Bullocks will attempt the impossible.

AP file photo by Josie Lepe / San Francisco 49ers receiver Deebo Samuel, right, chats with defensive backs coach Daniel Bullocks during practice in Santa Clara, Calif. Bullocks, a Chattanooga prep star at Hixson before playing at Nebraska and in the NFL, is in his seventh season as an assistant for the 49ers, who face the Kansas City Chiefs at Super Bowl LVIII on Sunday in Las Vegas.

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Tennessee target Cameron Sparks tops list of 2025 Chattanooga-area college football prospects

by Stephen Hargis ·February 6, 2024

The row of dreads that spring from all angles and nearly cover his eyes provide a sense of seclusion for Cameron Sparks. The soft-spoken, almost shy kid, admitted the most uncomfortable aspect of the recruitment process is the media attention and requests to talk about himself.

Staff photo by Matt Hamilton / Baylor's Cameron Sparks is one of the state's highest-rated college football prospects for the class of 2025.

Hargis: Welcome back to college football reality, Tide fans

by Stephen Hargis ·January 20, 2024

Suddenly, from Madison to Mobile, the sky is falling on the Henny-Pennys of Bryant-Denny.

AP photo by Vasha Hunt / Alabama football coach Nick Saban waves to the fans as he leaves the field at Bryant-Denny Stadium after a home win in September 2022. Saban's recent retirement was followed by multiple players for the Crimson Tide entering the transfer portal, with some having already found new programs.

Baylor’s Kelli Smith recognized nationally for coaching excellence

by Stephen Hargis ·January 16, 2024

Having already established herself as an elite coach on the state level, Baylor School veteran softball coach Kelli Smith has now been nationally recognized for her work.

Staff Photo by Robin Rudd / Baylor School head softball coach Kelli Smith added a national coaching award to her already impressive resume this week.

Four Bradley Central players among a dozen Chattanooga area all-state honorees

by Stephen Hargis ·January 16, 2024

The best season in nearly five decades has also produced an impressive list of postseason honors for the Bradley Central High School football team.

Staff photo by Matt Hamilton/ After helping the team reach the state semifinals, quarterback Kaleb Martin was one of four Bradley Central players who earned all-state recognition.

Class 1A champ South Pittsburg has five all-state football players; seven from area selected in 3A

by Stephen Hargis ·January 12, 2024

The impressively long list of all-state players produced by the South Pittsburg High School football program has grown.

Staff file photo by Robin Rudd / South Pittsburg's JaMychal Buckner is the program's first sophomore to rush for more than 1,000 yards since 2011. He is joined on the TSWA Class 1A all-state list by four state championship teammates.

McCallie, Baylor dominate Division II-AAA all-state football list

by Stephen Hargis ·January 11, 2024

The on-field dominance by the McCallie and Baylor football teams this past season has carried over to the postseason honors.

Staff file photo by Olivia Ross / Jay St-Hilaire, a senior this past season, was one of eight McCallie players selected to the TSWA all-state football team for TSSAA Division II-AAA.

Owensby named new Soddy-Daisy football coach

by Stephen Hargis ·January 8, 2024

After a wide-ranging search for its next head football coach, Soddy-Daisy High School has turned the program over to one of its own. Josh Owensby, who was an offensive assistant for the Trojans last season, has been named the school's new head coach.