Gene has been with the Times Free Press since July 2008. Prior to that, he spent three years covering sports for the Cleveland Daily Banner. He now covers Tennessee athletics, focusing on football and basketball. Prior to that he spent five years in the same capacity, covering UTC. Gene spent three years playing college basketball, then played a year of semi-professional before starting with the Cleveland Daily Banner in 2005. His passion is basketball, but he loves all sports of all kinds. He does consider himself a fan of the Bulls (NBA), 49ers (NFL) and is attempting a new-found fandom of the Miami Marlins and Florida Panthers. Gene lives in Cleveland and has a 14-year old son, Judah.
All the offseason equity Jeremy Pruitt put into developing relationships with his players seems to be paying off at the right time.
by Gene HenleyStarting what promises to be a tough stretch of 10 games even before tipping off their Southeastern Conference basketball schedule, the Tennessee Volunteers went to Toronto and beat No. 20 Washington 75-62 in the James Naismith Classic on Saturday.
by Gene HenleyAfter his team's poor first-half performance in a 19-point win against Murray State on Tuesday night, Tennessee men's basketball coach Rick Barnes made a point to the Volunteers by harping on the importance of taking every game and opponent seriously.
by Gene HenleyKellie Harper spent her first preseason as Tennessee women's basketball coach trying to figure out how she was going to set her rotations.
by Gene HenleyTennessee cemented one of the best men's basketball signing classes in school history Wednesday.
by Gene HenleyMuch was made of the Tennessee Volunteers' receiving corps entering this season.
by Gene HenleyIn November 1997, Vincent Yarbrough sat in a commons area at Tennessee's Cleveland High School, considering his basketball future.
by Gene HenleyJordan Bowden scored a career-high 26 points and Yves Pons added a career-high 19, and Tennessee used a big 16-0 second-half run predicated on 3-point shooting and defense to defeat Murray State 82-63 Tuesday night at Thompson-Boling Arena.
by Gene HenleyRennia Davis was forced into a position of leadership as a sophomore last season for the Tennessee women's basketball team.
by Gene HenleyIf it's not broke, don't fix it.
by Gene HenleyThe Tennessee Volunteers will host the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Mocs on Nov. 25 at Thompson-Boling Arena.
by Gene HenleyFacing third-and-4 on his team's 8-yard line and needing one first down to put the game away, Tennessee offensive coordinator Jim Chaney dialed up a naked bootleg for Jarrett Guarantano.
by Gene HenleyWhile the Tennessee women's basketball team has struggled on offense so far this season, the Lady Volunteers' defense has gone everywhere they have.
by Gene HenleyOne, a much-maligned quarterback of the offense. The other, a stalwart quarterback of the defense.
by Gene HenleyStaff writer Gene Henley breaks down the game.
by Gene HenleyTennessee vs. Kentucky college football game results as they happen.
by Mark Wiedmer and Gene HenleySaturday at Kroger Stadium in Lexington, Kentucky
by Gene HenleyRight now, the Volunteers are not at the level of fellow Southeastern Conference programs such as Alabama, Georgia or even Florida.
by Gene HenleyThe Tennessee football program picked up its 18th commitment for the 2020 recruiting cycle Friday.
by Gene HenleyJordan Horston will have good and bad performances as a freshman for the Tennessee women's basketball team.
by Gene Henley