Rick Nyman

Sports Director

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Rick Nyman grew up in Anniston, Alabama and attended the University of Alabama. His television career started at WJSU-TV in Anniston where he had the opportunity to cover SEC football with Alabama and Auburn. Anniston is just 20 minutes from the Talladega Speedway, so NASCAR was a big part of his sports coverage. Due to this he was able to interview Davey Allison, Dale Earnhardt, Jeff Gordon, and several other top-name NASCAR drivers.

Rick’s next television job was in Savannah, Georgia, where he covered basketball player Kwame Brown (now with the Washington Wizards), who later became the first ever high school player selected as the top pick in the NBA draft. He covered the PGA Tour’s annual swing thru Hilton Head and also had the opportunity of covering the Atlanta Falcons Super Bowl appearance in 1999 in Miami.

Rick especially enjoys all the atmosphere, tradition and drama of college football. He also likes profiling sports personalities and learning what drives them both on and off the field. If he’s not covering sports, he’s either watching Seinfield or David Letterman, playing golf, reading, or working out. What he enjoys about Chattanooga is the passion people have for sports. The mountainous region of Chattanooga reminds him of his hometown of Anniston, which also has big, beautiful trees and plenty of hills.

You can contact Rick at rnyman@wdef.com.

Articles

Bria Dial Leads Mocs Over Greensboro 57-41

(gomocs.com) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. --- Chattanooga senior Bria Dial and junior Abbey Cornelius combined for a lethal effect on both sides of the ball to lead the Mocs to a 57-41 win over UNCG in Southern Conference women’s basketball action Friday…

Mocs Softball Falls Twice on Opening Day

(gomocs.com) CHATTANOOGA --- The Chattanooga Mocs softball team suffered a two-game sweep, falling 8-0 to Western Kentucky in game one before a late rally attempt felt short in a 7-5 loss  to Indiana State in the nightcap on Friday inside…

Rodney Garner and Willie Martinez Added to Vols Defensive Staff

(utsports.com) KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Southeastern Conference veterans Rodney Garner and Willie Martinez, who own a combined 45 years of experience in the league and five SEC championships, have been named to Tennessee football's defensive staff, head coach Josh Heupel announced on…

Tyner Names Tyrus Ward New Head Football Coach

Tyner didn't go far to find their new head football coach. They went across town and got Brainerd's Tyrus Ward. Ward will replace Wayne Turner, who had coached the Rams for 30 years. Ward led the Panthers to an 8-5…

Lady Vols Upset 2nd Ranked South Carolina 75-67

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Rennia Davis scored all 24 of her points in the second half and No. 21 Tennessee beat second-ranked South Carolina 75-67, ending the Gamecocks’ 31-game conference winning streak. The Lady Vols (13-5, 7-3 Southeastern Conference) came…

Baylor Beats GPS 39-22 in Completion of Suspended Game

Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) The Baylor girls beat rival GPS 39-22 to complete a game that was suspended on February 1st. That game was postponed after the first quarter because of possible COVID concerns. When play resumed on Wednesday at GPS, Baylor enjoyed…

Vols Ready to ‘Let it Rip’ Under New Offensive Staff

(utsports.com) KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – New Tennessee head football coach Josh Heupel formally introduced his offensive staff to the media on Wednesday as the Volunteers charted a course for their uptempo offensive philosophy. The experienced staff includes offensive coordinator and tight ends coach Alex Golesh,…

Ooltewah Head Football Coach Scott Chandler Resigns

Ooltewah head football coach Scott Chandler has announced his resignation. Chandler went 16-16 during his three seasons as the Owls head coach. His best year was his first season on the sidelines when the Ooltewah went 9-3 and made the…

Titans Made Contact With Free Agent J.J. Watt

The Titans need a lot of help with their pass rush, so will they be a player in the J.J. Watt sweepstakes? The Texans released the veteran defensive end last week. He's one of only three players in league history…

Braves Win Salary Arbitration Case With Dansby Swanson

The Atlanta Braves beat Dansby Swanson in salary arbitration, and the shortstop will earn $6 million rather than his request for $6.7 million. Arbitrators Richard Bloch, Walt De Treaux, Robert Herman made the decision, a day after hearing arguments. The…

Vols Name Penn State’s Tim Banks New Defensive Coordinator

(utsports.com) KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Tim Banks, who helped guide top 25 units as the co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach at Penn State the past five seasons, has been named Tennessee's new defensive coordinator, head coach Josh Heupel announced on Monday evening. "Tim brings great…

Vols Josh Heupel Finalizes Offensive Coaching Staff

(utsports.com) KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – New Tennessee head football coach Josh Heupel has assembled his offensive coaching staff in Knoxville, it was officially finalized on Monday. Heupel's offensive staff includes (click on link to full profile): Kodi Burns– Wide Receivers Glen Elarbee– Offensive Line Alex…

No Fans Allowed For Upcoming SoCon Basketball Tournament

(soconsports.com) SPARTANBURG, S.C. – In accordance with COVID-19 safety measures established by the state of North Carolina and Buncombe County regarding public gatherings, there will be no general ticket sales to the 2021 Ingles Southern Conference Basketball Championships presented by…

Kentucky Pulls Away to Beat Lady Vols 71-56

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) - Chasity Patterson scored 21 points and No. 20 Kentucky was 10 of 20 from 3-point range to pull away for a 71-56 win over No. 16 Tennessee. The Lady Vols, who won the first meeting 70-53…

Mocs Beat Wofford 78-66 For Their Third Straight Victory

(gomocs.com) CHATTANOOGA---The Chattanooga Mocs got a combined 42 points from its starting backcourt to claim a 78-66 Southern Conference win at Wofford Wednesday night. That included identical 21-point totals from David Jean-Baptiste and Malachi Smith along with a stout defensive…

Mocs Football Season Opener With VMI Postponed Due to COVID

(soconsports.com) SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Southern Conference football game between Chattanooga and VMI scheduled for Feb. 20 in Chattanooga, Tennessee, has been postponed due to COVID issues within the Mocs’ program. The game was set to be the spring opener…

McCallie Edges Baylor in a Thriller 46-45

Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) Two big three point plays from McCallie's Eric Rivers to close out each half helped the Blue Tornado beat Baylor 46-45 on Tuesday night at the McCallie school. Rivers hit a lay-up and was fouled just before the first…