FLORENCE - Former Lee University assistant coach Chris Walker has been hired as the head women’s soccer coach at the University of North Alabama.

UNA Athletic Director Mark Linder announced the hire this afternoon.

Walker, a Lee graduate and former player on the men’s soccer team there, has served as an assistant coach with the Lee women’s team for the last three years and helped lead the Flame to two NAIA national championships.

“Chris is a person of outstanding character and is an outstanding coach,” Linder said. “He has recruited internationally and domestically in expanded regions from our current footprint. We feel he can lead our program to continued success.”

At UNA, Walker follows Graham Winkworth who posted a 111-81-8 record with the Lions over the past 10 years and led UNA to four consecutive NCAA Division II Regional tournaments from 2009-12.

Winkworth resigned in December to become the head coach at the University of South Alabama.