FLORENCE, Ala. (November 13, 2023) – University of North Alabama Director of Athletics Dr. Josh Looney announced an agreement to extend the contract of UNA women's soccer head coach Chris Walker through the 2025 season with an option for 2026.
 
This announcement comes on the heels of a landmark season for the UNA women's soccer program, as the team finished with an 11-5-6 overall record and made an appearance in the Atlantic Sun Conference Championship Final last Sunday in Nashville. The Lions accomplished this despite being picked last place in the ASUN preseason polls.
 
"Chris Walker has guided our women's soccer program to two Atlantic Sun final appearances in our short NCAA Division I history while leading equally impressive academic and community accomplishments as UNA's head coach," said Looney. "He is a visible and respected leader throughout our campus and soccer communities. We are proud of the soccer program's accomplishments and confident in Chris' ability to continue elevating Lion Women's Soccer to new heights."
 
Walker is the first coach in UNA's recent Division I history to lead a program to two conference tournament finals, doing so in 2018 and 2023. He owns a 4-2-1 postseason record since UNA joined the ASUN in 2018. Walker recently completed his 11th season to become the longest-tenured coach in the program's 27-year history.
 
Walker's 11th season was a special one, tying the UNA Division I era record for wins and breaking the D1 era records for win percentage (63.6) and overall points with 11 wins and six ties.
 
The program also finished the 2023 season tied for the NCAA lead in shutouts with 13 behind ASUN Goalkeeper of the Year Adriana Wright, setting a new school record in the process. UNA also celebrated five all-conference selections, one all-freshman selection and three Academic All-ASUN selections.
 
The soccer program also celebrated another rare accomplishment this season, as Alice Bussey became just the sixth student-athlete in UNA's Division I era to earn first-team all-conference and academic all-conference honors in the same season. The program also set a new single-game attendance record with 655 fans on hand for UNA's 1-0 Atlantic Sun Championship Quarterfinal victory over Queens on Oct. 29.
 
"I'm excited to continue to build and work with this group of talented student-athletes," said Walker. "We navigated the transition from D2 to D1, and now we want to continue to be competitive and successful at this level. UNA is a special place, and the community has shown great support of our program. I want to thank Athletic Director Dr. Josh Looney and President Ken Kitts for their continued support of the women's soccer team."
 
Walker owns a 94-82-24 overall record at UNA.
 
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