After helping lead the University of North Alabama to 12 playoff appearances and seven conference championships in his 15 seasons on the coaching staff, Chris Willis was named as the 10th head football coach in UNA history on December 22, 2016.
He is now set to lead the Lions into his sixth season as head coach and 21st season overall at the school.
In March of 2021, Wills signed a four-year contract extension that runs through the 2024 season.
In his first season leading the UNA program, Willis and the Lions faced Division II's toughest schedule and overcame a rash of key injuries to emerge with a 5-5 overall record and a 5-3 Gulf South Conference mark. Despite playing six NCAA playoff teams on its 10-game schedule, UNA boasted one of the nation's premier defensive units in 2017.
In 2018, Willis and the Lions followed with a strong 7-3 record in the team's first season as a member of the Division I Football Championship Subdivision. UNA opened the season with a 34-30 road win at Southern Utah in the Lions' first game as an FCS member and the Lions followed with a 25-20 road win at state rival Alabama A&M. UNA closed the 2018 season with four consecutive wins.
In 2019, the Lions again faced a rugged schedule, taking on four nationally ranked teams on the road. UNA lost three games by a touchdown or less on the way to a 4-7 record but the Lions were 3-4 against Big South Conference teams and would have finished fourth in the league if they were eligible to rank.
In 2020, Willis guided the Lions through the COVID-19 Pandemic that limited UNA to a four-game fall schedule. The Lions faced three FBS programs on the road, including BYU (11th) and Liberty (17th), who would both close the season ranked in the Associated Press Top 20.Â
Last season the Lions finished 3-8 overall, but won three of their final five games. UNA faced a schedule that included six teams that were in the pre-season FCS Top 25 poll.
UNA finished the season ranked first in the Big South in pass offense (263.7), total passing yards (2,901), passing touchdowns (26), total first downs (232), net punting (39.7) and most interceptions returned (14).
An assistant coach at North Alabama under Mark Hudspeth, Terry Bowden and Bobby Wallace, Willis served the Lions as defensive coordinator from 2012-16 and directed defensive efforts that helped UNA become the first school in Gulf South Conference history to win four straight league championships. In 2016 the Lions were No. 1 in Division II in passing efficiency defense, third in scoring defense, fourth in interceptions and 20th in total defense as UNA went 11-2 and reached the national championship game.
A 1998 graduate of Delta State University, Willis initially joined the UNA staff in 2002 under Mark Hudspeth and coached tight ends. He then coached running backs in 2003 before moving to the defensive secondary from 2004-11. Wallace elevated Willis to defensive coordinator in 2012 and also assistant head coach. Willis also served as UNA's recruiting coordinator from 2002 to 2005.
As a student-athlete, Willis spent two years at Itawamba Community College on a football/baseball scholarship. He was a pitcher on the baseball team that claimed the school's first state championship in 1993. He was quarterback at Aberdeen (Miss.) High School where, in 1990, he led his team to the third round of the playoffs as the team posted a school best 12-1 record. In his last two seasons at Aberdeen, he quarterbacked the Bulldogs to a 20-2 record before his graduation in 1992.
Willis received his Bachelor's Degree in Education in 1998 from Delta State and his Master's Degree in Education in 1999 from Delta State. While at DSU, he also taught in the Health, Physical Education and Recreation Department.
Born on born February 2, 1974, Willis is married to the former Tara Beausoliel of Greenville, Miss. They have three sons, Beau (13), Cody (11) and Drew (7).
UNA Year-By-Year
* In 2003, while helping lead the Lions to a 13-1 record that included a Gulf South Conference title and an NCAA playoff appearance, Willis coached a tandem of All-GSC running backs in Demarcus Blount and Randy Vickers.
* In 2004 he moved to defense and coached the safeties. That season he coached All-GSC and Academic All-GSC performer Jay Snipes.
* North Alabama went 11-3 in 2005 and again reached the semifinals of the Division II playoffs. The Lion defense ranked among the Division II national leaders in every category, including ranking 18th in scoring defense and total defense. The Lions also picked off 21 passes and ranked ninth nationally in turnover margin.
* In 2006 UNA was 11-1, won a GSC title and advanced to the quarterfinals of the Division II playoffs. On that team, Willis coached All-GSC and All-South Region pick Derrell Ashford.
* During the 2007 season the Lions were 10-2 and advanced to the quarterfinals of the Division II playoffs and UNA safety Craig Fox was named to numerous Division II All-American teams.
* In 2008 UNA was 12-2 and reached the semifinals of the Division II playoffs. The Lions' defense led Division II with 32 interceptions and three members of the UNA secondary, David Raymond, Darron Dampier and Bobby Brooks, earned All-GSC honors. Raymond and Dampier were also all-region and Raymond was named to several All-American teams.
* In 2009 the Lions were 11-2, won a GSC championship and advanced to the quarterfinals of the Division II playoffs. UNA was sixth in the nation in pass efficiency defense and 11th in scoring defense. The Lions were also 11th in turnover margin. UNA's secondary also placed four players on the All-GSC team: Quinton Andrews, Jason Tate, J.J. Johnson and Chad Daniel. Tate and Andrews were also all-region picks and Andrews made the D2football.com All-America team.
* In 2010 the Lions went 9-4 and advanced to the second round of the Division II playoffs. Defensive back Chad Daniel earned All-GSC, All-Super Region 2 and All-American honors. In addition, UNA was ranked third nationally in interceptions (22), third in turnovers gained (41)and sxith in scoring defense (14.7) and 10th in passing efficiency defense.
* Willis coached the secondary in 2011, in addition to serving the team as assistant head coach. North Alabama was 9-3 in 2011 and again reached the second round of the playoffs. UNA defensive backs Rod Woodson and Janoris Jenkins were All-GSC selections and Jenkins also earned all-region and All-American honors.
* In 2012 the UNA defense produced two All-Americans in linebacker Tavarius Wilson and defensive back Caleb Massey. The Lions also recorded two shutouts and held four teams to two touchdowns or less.
* In 2013 the UNA defense produced three All-Americans in linebacker Tavarius Wilson, defensive lineman Taylor Carney and defensive back Caleb Massey. Wilson was named Division II National Defensive Player of the Year by Beyond Sports Network and was selected as Super Region 2 Defensive Player of the Year by both Daktronics and Don Hansen.
* In 2014 the UNA defense produced five All-GSC performers and ranked 18th nationally in scoring defense (19.2) and 13th in passing efficiency defense. The Lions went 9-2, won a share of the GSC crown and advanced to the Division II playoffs. The UNA defense led Division II with 29 interceptions and 39 turnovers gained. The Lions also ranked 18th in pass efficiency defense, 21st in scoring defense and ninth in turnover margin.
* The 2015 UNA defense had five All-GSC selections and an All-American in safety Floyd Jones. The Lions finished 10th in passing efficiency defense in the nation (101.15) and 13th in red zone defense (74.2). UNA was 9-3 and won a share of a third straight GSC championship and advanced to the second round of the Division II playoffs.
* In 2016 the Lions went 11-2, won an unprecedented fourth straight Gulf South Conference championship and advanced to the NCAA Division II National Championship Game. UNA ranked first nationally in pass efficiency defense (90.50), third in scoring defense (14.5), fourth in interceptions (23), 12th in turnover margin and 20th in total defense.
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In his first season leading the UNA program as head coach, Willis and the Lions faced Division II's toughest schedule and overcame a rash of key injuries to emerge with a 5-5 overall record and a 5-3 Gulf South Conference mark. Despite playing six NCAA playoff teams on its 10-game schedule, UNA boasted one of the nation's premier defensive units in 2017.
* UNA was 7-3 in 2018 in the school's first season of Division I FCS competition.
* In 2019, the Lions were 4-7 but faced four nationally ranked teams on the road and lost three games by a touchdown or less.
• In 2020, UNA faced a limited four-game schedule due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Included on that slate were three FBS schools in Liberty, Southern Mississippi and BYU. BYU finished the season ranked 11th nationally, while Liberty was 17th.
* Prior to coming to UNA, Willis served as recruiting coordinator and coached numerous positions at Delta State University for three years. He joined the DSU staff in 1999 under Steve Campbell as a graduate assistant. In 2000 the Statesmen won the NCAA Division II National Championship at Braly Stadium, with Willis working along side former UNA Head Coach Mark Hudspeth with the running backs and quarterbacks. In 2001, he worked with then DSU offensive coordinator Cody Gross.
Chris and Tara Willis with Cody, Drew and Beau
CHRIS WILLIS YEAR-BY-YEAR
Yrs   Position   School
1999   Graduate Asst. Coach   Delta State   6-4
2000   Asst. Coach                   Delta State   14-1       GSC Champions      NCAA Division II National Champions
2001   Asst. Coach                   Delta State   7-3  Â
2002   Asst. Coach                   North Alabama   4-7  Â
2003   Asst. Coach                   North Alabama   13-1   GSC Champions      NCAA Division II Playoffs Semifinals
2004   Asst. Coach                   North Alabama   5-5
2005   Asst. Coach                   North Alabama   11-3                                    NCAA Division II Playoffs Semifinals
2006   Asst. Coach                   North Alabama   11-1   GSC Champions      NCAA Division II Playoffs Second Round
2007   Asst. Coach                   North Alabama   10-2                                    NCAA Division II Playoffs Second Round
2008   Asst. Coach                   North Alabama   12-2                                    NCAA Division II Playoffs Semifinals
2009   Asst. Coach                   North Alabama   11-2   GSC Champions      NCAA Division II Playoffs Second Round
2010   Asst. Coach                   North Alabama   9-4                                    NCAA Division II Playoffs Second Round
2011   Asst. Coach                   North Alabama   9-3                                    NCAA Division II Playoffs Second Round
2012   Defensive Coordinator   North Alabama   5-5
2013   Defensive Coordinator   North Alabama   10-3   GSC Co-Champions   NCAA Division II Playoffs Quarterfinals
2014   Defensive Coordinator   North Alabama   9-2   GSC Co-Champions   NCAA Division II Playoffs First Round
2015   Defensive Coordinator   North Alabama   9-3   GSC Co-Champions   NCAA Division II Playoffs Second Round
2016   Defensive Coordinator   North Alabama   11-2   GSC Champions      NCAA Division II National Runner-up
2017   Head Coach                   North Alabama   5-5
Division I
2018   Head Coach                   North Alabama   7-3
2019   Head Coach                   North Alabama   4-7
2020   Head Coach                   North Alabama   0-4
2021   Head Coach                   North Alabama   3-8
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