FLORENCE, Ala. (February 25, 2026) – University of North Alabama Director of Athletics Dr. Josh Looney announced Wednesday that UNA and women's soccer head coach Chris Walker have mutually agreed to exercise an option that extends Walker's contract through the 2027 season. An additional option year for the 2028 season has also been added to his agreement.
 
Walker recently completed his 13th season at the helm, owning a 105-101-30 overall record since 2013. On Sept. 4, 2025, Walker picked up his 100th career win with a 3-0 victory over Alabama State. The Lions went 8-5-6 this season with a quarterfinal appearance in the Atlantic Sun Conference Championship.
 
Walker is the first coach in UNA's eight-year Division I history to lead a program to two conference tournament finals, doing so in 2018 and 2023. He owns a 4-3-1 postseason record since UNA joined the ASUN in 2018.
 
He is the longest-tenured coach in the program's 29-year history.
 
"Chris Walker has done an outstanding job leading our women's soccer program for more than a decade," said Looney. "He has guided the program to two ASUN championship match appearances, set multiple program records, and consistently elevated the program's reputation through academic excellence and community engagement. Exercising this option reflects the shared confidence we have in the direction of UNA women's soccer and the culture Chris continues to strengthen."
 
Walker currently has 12 former players in the professional ranks, including the recent signing of former captain Alice Bussey to Oxford United in England.
 
In 2025, Walker set the program record for most career home wins with a 2-1 win over Troy. He passed former UNA coach Graham Winkworth — currently the head coach at Arizona State — who finished with 53. Walker has 57 home wins entering the 2026 season, which will be the first inside Bank Independent Stadium.
 
Walker needs just seven more wins to pass Winkworth and become the all-time winningest coach in UNA Soccer history. He also needs three wins away from Florence to pass Winkworth for the most road wins in program history.
 
The 2025 season also brought two NCAA statistical championships, as the Lions led the country in team save percentage and individual shot accuracy. Graduate goalkeeper Madison Vukas led the Lions to the highest team save percentage across the NCAA with a .902 in her 1,730 minutes played in goal. Bussey won the individual accuracy honor with a .692 shot on goal percentage.
 
UNA has had a track record of successful goalkeepers during Walker's tenure, most recently with Vukas and 2023 goalkeeper Adriana Wright winning ASUN Goalkeeper of the Year. UNA had two other players receive ASUN honors in 2025 and four on the ASUN All-Academic team.
 
"I'm incredibly grateful for the opportunity to extend my contract at the University of North Alabama," said Walker. "I want to sincerely thank Athletic Director Dr. Josh Looney and President Ken Kitts for their leadership and vision for both the department and the university. Their continued support and commitment to excellence make North Alabama a special place to coach and lead.
 
"I'm excited to continue working with our talented group of student-athletes and assistant coaches, who represent our program the right way every single day. They compete at a high level and work extremely hard both on and off the pitch. I'm proud of what we're building together and look forward to what's ahead for our program."
 
UNA is currently gearing up for the spring. A schedule announcement for the fall season will be made this summer.
 
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.