FLORENCE, Ala. (August 26, 2025) – University of North Alabama Director of Athletics Dr. Josh Looney announced a new five-year contract for head men's basketball coach Tony Pujol on Monday, extending him through the 2029-30 season.
 
Pujol's extension comes on the heels of a historic season for the men's basketball program. The Lions finished with a 24-11 overall record and won the 2025 Atlantic Sun Conference Regular Season Championship. UNA went on to secure a bid in the NIT for the first time in program history.
 
Pujol was originally hired on April 2, 2018 and has coached every game since North Alabama's move to Division I. He enters his eighth season in 2025-26.
 
"Tony Pujol has elevated North Alabama men's basketball into the top-tier of teams in the Atlantic Sun Conference," said Looney. "This year's regular season championship was a defining moment for Florence, and CB&S Bank Arena has become one of the most electric home-court environments in mid-major basketball. Coach Pujol's deep connection to our student-athletes, alumni, and community continues to fuel our rise—and with this extension, we're doubling down on a shared vision for sustained success and championship ambition."
 
Last season, Pujol was named a finalist for the Hugh Durham Award, which is given to the top mid-major coach in college basketball each season. The team won 24 games, marking the most wins since 2008.
 
In ASUN play last season, UNA finished 14-4 to tie with Lipscomb for the regular season crown. The 14 conference wins set a new single-season record for the program, which was last set at 13 wins in 2014. The Lions swept the ASUN at home last season, going 11-0 against conference foes at CB&S Bank Arena. Overall, UNA went 16-1 at home in 2024-25.
 
Over his first seven seasons with the program, Pujol has 102 wins. The 100th win was perhaps the most special — a 74-69 win over Queens to secure the ASUN Regular Season Championship. Pujol has a 66-27 record at home, including a 31-4 record in non-conference home games.
 
The inward growth of the program was evident this season, as the Lions had three active players on UNA's 1,000 point scoring list on the team for the first time since 1971 — Will Soucie, Daniel Ortiz and Jacari Lane.
 
In the last two seasons, Pujol has helped five Lions go on to a professional career overseas. Three of the five will enter their second seasons in the pros, while Taye Fields begins his professional journey in Austria this season.
 
This season, the Lions return 10 players from the championship roster.
 
"My family and I are extremely grateful to have received this extension as the men's basketball coach at the University of North Alabama," said Pujol. "I would like to thank President Ken Kitts, Dr. Josh Looney and the entire Shoals Community for the continued support of our program. We are experiencing a unique time in our athletic department, on our campus and in our community as a whole. We are aligned and ready to create historic memories. I'm locked in...Roar Lions!"

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