FLORENCE, Ala. β University of North Alabama Director of Athletics Dr. Josh Looney announced a contract extension for head men's basketball coach Tony Pujol on Monday, adding two more years to his current contract to extend through 2026-27 with an option to extend beyond 2027.
Pujol was hired at UNA on April 2, 2018 and has coached every game since North Alabama's move to NCAA Division I. He enters his seventh season leading the program.
"The trajectory of UNA men's basketball continues to elevate with Coach Pujol at the helm," said Looney. "Coach Pujol has energized our community, students and alumni to transform CB&S Bank Arena into one of the toughest home-court environments in the Atlantic Sun Conference. After leading UNA men's basketball into its Division I era, Coach Pujol has continued to surround our program with positive momentum on and off the court. We have high expectations heading into the 2024-25 season and are excited to support Coach Pujol and our men's basketball program as they rise to new heights."
Over the last two seasons, UNA has enjoyed its best two-year stretch since 2013-14 with 33 wins. The Lions went 18-15 in 2022-23 and followed that with a 15-17 record in 2023-24 against a difficult schedule. The Lions made the Atlantic Sun Conference Semifinal Round in 2024 with a thrilling 77-75 win over No. 3 seed Lipscomb.
The Lipscomb win, which was secured by a buzzer-beater from former Lion KJ Johnson, made national headlines as the top play on SportsCenter and the "Best Thing I Saw Today" from Scott Van Pelt.
Other key wins under Pujol include victories over North Florida and FGCU in 2021 en route to the ASUN Championship Final and the program's first win over an SEC opponent in 2022 against Ole Miss.
Over six seasons, Pujol has compiled 78 wins.
"I would like to thank President Kitts, Director of Athletics Josh Looney, our administration, our fans and the Shoals community for their continued support," said Pujol. "The momentum created by our leadership and our student-athletes, both past and present, is a testament to the vision of the growth of our University. I am grateful and appreciative of the University's faith and commitment in me to continue to lead the men's basketball program. We are looking forward to the season and excited to be back in CB&S Bank Arena playing in front of the Lion faithful soon. Roar Lions!"
Last Thursday, UNA was picked third of 12 teams in the ASUN Preseason Coaches Poll and fifth in the ASUN Media Poll. Guards Jacari Lane and Daniel Ortiz were selected to the Preseason All-ASUN team.
