The North Alabama Lions football program represents the University of North Alabama (UNA) in college football as the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) level as a member of the United Athletic Conference (UAC). The current UAC is a rebranding of the conference that operated as the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) from its formation in 1962 through the 2025–26 school year. The all-sports UAC absorbed a football-only UAC that played from 2023–2025 as a merger of the football leagues of UNA's previous primary home of the Atlantic Sun Conference (ASUN) and the WAC. UNA had played the 2022 season in the ASUN, and before that had played football in the Big South Conference for three seasons. After the 2025–26 school year, the WAC rebranded as the UAC, with the initial membership of the all-sports UAC consisting of UNA, four other football-sponsoring schools from the ASUN (Austin Peay, Central Arkansas, Eastern Kentucky, and West Georgia), three schools from the WAC (Abilene Christian, Tarleton State, and non-football UT Arlington), and non-football Little Rock from the Ohio Valley Conference. The all-sports UAC later added Division II upgrader West Florida as a football-only affiliate starting in the 2026 season.
UNA plays its home games at Bobby Wallace Field at Bank Independent Stadium in Florence, Alabama. The team's head coach is Brent Dearmon. UNA was an NCAA Division II member from 1972 to 2017.
The Lions are distinguished as the only team to win three consecutive football national championships in NCAA Division II. UNA's 27 consecutive weeks at No. 1 in the Division II polls also comprise the longest stretch of consecutive No. 1 rankings in football in NCAA history on any level. UNA was the last Division II team to beat a Division I-A (FBS) team, defeating Southwestern Louisiana (now Louisiana) on October 11, 1997. In 2016, UNA won their fourth consecutive Gulf South Conference championship — a conference record.
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History
Since the rebirth of football at the University of North Alabama in 1949, UNA has been one of the most consistently successful programs in the state of Alabama and on a regional and national level.
As an NCAA Division II member, UNA was nationally ranked in the Top 25 of the final Division II poll 21 times from 1980 to 2017, with 15 Top Ten Rankings. UNA's 21 all-time playoff appearances are the second most in Division II history. In addition, UNA's 35 playoff wins are the second most in DII history and the Lions' 12 Gulf South Conference football crowns are by far the most in league history.
In 2018, the Lions began a new chapter with a transition to Division I and Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) status. The Lions played as an independent in the FCS in 2018 and finished with a 7–3 record. In 2019, UNA played its first season as a member of the Big South Conference and went 4–7 overall, losing three games by a touchdown or less. The Lions were not eligible to rank in the conference standings due to the transition but would have finished fourth with a 3–4 league mark. During the season, the Lions faced four nationally ranked FCS teams, all on the road.
The University of North Alabama fielded football teams from 1912 to 1928, but with little or no success.
Following a miserable showing in 1928, football was dropped at the university. For the next 21 years there were several efforts made to return football to the Florence campus by writing letters to the administration and gathering names on petitions. Those efforts finally proved successful on March 30, 1949, when President Dr. E.B. Norton held a student assembly to announce that football would return to campus that September.
Since that September day, the university has reaped 67 years worth of benefits from a football program that has helped put UNA on the map as one of the nation's premier collegiate powers. As an example, North Alabama boasts the highest winningest percentage since 1990 of any collegiate football program from the football tradition rich state of Alabama at 72.29.
UNA's football success has come through the combined efforts of eight different head coaches, more than 80 assistant coaches and more than 1,200 student-athletes.
Rivalries
West Alabama
UNA and the University of West Alabama (UWA) first played in 1949 and played every year through 2017. UNA leads the series 52–18–1. UWA won the first two meetings in 1949 (14–13) and 1950 (19–0), but UNA followed that with a thirteen-game winning streak (1951–1963). The longest winning streak in the series is held by UNA at fourteen games (1988–2001). The current winning streak is held by UWA at one game. The most recent match-up was played on September 23, 2017, resulting in a 38–17 victory for UWA. The 2017 meeting was likely the last for the foreseeable future since UNA has moved to the FCS.
Head coaches
Records are through the end of the 2024 season
Hal Self
Under the direction of head coach Hal Self, the college completed 1949 with a 4–5 record, turning in a slightly improved 5–4 record the following year. However, during Self's 21 seasons as head coach, the Lions compiled a 109–81–8 record, even posting wins against some Division I schools.
The Lions were especially dominant among other Alabama teams, building a 31–0–2 record, beginning with a 32–6 win over Livingston (now West Alabama) in 1952 and ending 12 years later with a 21–7 loss to Troy State in 1964. Self also amassed several Alabama Collegiate Conference championships and coached eight All-Americans, including Harlon Hill, the school's first professional football star.
Former Lion standout Durell Mock succeeded Self in 1970, followed by Mickey Andrews in 1973.
Wayne Grubb
Wayne Grubb took over for Andrews in 1977. Grubb followed a disappointing 5–5 beginning season with 8 consecutive winning seasons, including Gulf South Conference championships in 1980, 1983, and 1985. UNA also qualified for the national semifinals in 1980 and 1983, competing for the Division II Championship at Palm Bowl in McAllen, Texas, in 1985.
In 1985, Florence's Braly Municipal Stadium also was secured as the site of the Division II national championship game, with UNA serving as the host institution until 2013, when it was announced that the championship would move to Kansas City, Missouri in 2014 and remain there through 2017. The Division II move to Florence also led to the adoption of the Harlon Hill Trophy, named after one of the most successful athletes in UNA's history.
Bobby Wallace (first stint)
The most successful era in UNA football history followed the hiring of Bobby Wallace as head football coach. Following a four-year rebuilding period, Wallace led the Lions to a 7–4–1 record in 1992 and competed in the second round of the Division II championship until losing to Jacksonville State, the eventual Division II national champions.
Over the next three years from 1993 to 1995, UNA amassed a 41–1 record, which also encompassed three straight Gulf South Conference Championships and three consecutive NCAA Division II National Championships—the first three-peat in NCAA history. UNA also became the first program to achieve 40 wins in three seasons.
The only loss UNA suffered during this three-year period was to Youngstown State, a Division I-AA power at the time, losing narrowly, 17–14, following a field goal in the fourth quarter. Youngstown State went on to win the 1994 I-AA national championship.
During Wallace's 10-year tenure, the UNA Lions competed in six NCAA playoffs and compiled an 82–36–1 record.
In 1995, UNA Lions were selected the “Best Team of the Quarter Century” in Division II, while Wallace was named Division II's "Coach of the Quarter Century."
Following their third consecutive NCAA Division II Football Championship in 1995, the Lions were invited to the White House to meet President Bill Clinton, Vice President Al Gore, and members of Congress.
Mark Hudspeth
Following a 4-year interlude under Bill Hyde, Mark Hudspeth assumed the head coaching job at UNA in 2002. After a disappointing first year, Hudspeth led the Lions to another string of Division II playoff games.
In his first five seasons at UNA, Hudspeth posted the best record of any previous Lion head coach in their first five years – leading the Lions to a 44–17 mark, two Gulf South Conference titles, and three NCAA Division II playoff appearances. Hudspeth left UNA after the 2008 season to become an assistant under newly hired Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen.
Terry Bowden
Former Auburn head coach Terry Bowden was named the new head coach on January 1, 2009. Bowden's brother, Jeff Bowden, also joined Terry at UNA as the WR coach. Pre-season hype focused on Bowden's remedy to a re-building roster by acquiring over twenty-five transfers from Division I schools including several from his father's Florida State team. The 2009 campaign would climax late in the season with an undefeated 10–0 record and the school's return to the #1 ranking for the first time since 1996. The season wrapped up with a UNA loss in the regional finals with an 11–2 record.
Bowden left after the 2011 season to take the head coaching job at Akron.
Bobby Wallace (second stint)
Wallace returned in 2012 for a second stint as head coach after Bowden's departure. Wallace led the Lions to four consecutive Gulf South Conference Championships and NCAA post-season appearances. Wallace ranks as the winningest football coach in Gulf South Conference history with 149 wins in his 19 years in the league. The 2012 season was a transition year for the Lions who finished fourth in the conference standings with a 5–5 overall record. After a successful off-season, the 2013 Lions had an impressive 10–3 record and shared the GSC title with in-state rival West Alabama. In 2014 Wallace led UNA to a 9–2 record that included winning a share of a second straight GSC Championship and a second straight berth in the Division II Playoffs. In 2015, coach Wallace led the Lions to a 9–3 record and shared their third consecutive GSC Championship with West Georgia and another Division II Playoff appearance. Wallace won his fourth consecutive GSC title outright in 2016 by going undefeated in conference play and received a fourth straight berth to the Division II Playoffs as the No. 1 seed in Region II. The Lions defeated UNC-Pembroke 41–17 in the second round, shutout North Greenville 38–0 in the quarterfinals, and went on to the semifinals winning at Shepherd 23–13, advancing to the national championship game. UNA fell to Northwest Missouri State 29–3 in the national championship and finished No. 2 in the final AFCA poll. Coach Wallace retired from UNA on December 20, 2016. Wallace finished his 15-year career at UNA with a 126–51–1 (.711) record, making him the winningest football coach in school history.
Chris Willis
Chris Willis was named head coach on December 22, 2016. Coach Willis has spent fifteen years on the UNA football staff and five years as defensive coordinator. Willis finished the 2017 season with a 5–5 record, avoiding the school's first losing season since 2002. The Lions finished tied for second in the GSC (with four other teams) and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2012. Because of NCAA transitional rules, the Lions will not be eligible for postseason until 2022 as a transitioning school to Division I. The Lions finished their first season in the FCS with a 7–3 record, and were 3–2 versus FCS opponents. The Lions fell to 4–7 during the 2019 campaign after playing a tough non-conference schedule featuring prominent FCS programs such as Montana and Jacksonville State. Big South Conference games did not count towards the standings due to transition rules; however, UNA finished with a 3–4 conference record.
Brent Dearmon
Brent Dearmon was hired as the head coach on December 3, 2022. Coach Dearmon had previously been an offensive coordinator at Kansas and Florida Atlantic. In his one previous year of head coaching, he led his alma mater, Bethel University, to an undefeated regular season before a loss in the NAIA playoffs. In his first year as coach, the Lions would play one of the toughest schedules on the FCS level. With this schedule, North Alabama would go 3–8 overall and go 1–5 in United Athletic Conference play.
NCAA Division II playoff results
The Lions appeared in the NCAA Division II Football Championship playoffs 21 times, compiling an overall record of 35–18. They were national champions in 1993, 1994, and 1995.
Future non-conference opponents
Announced schedules as of September 8, 2026.
All-time record vs. current UAC teams
Official record (including any NCAA imposed vacates and forfeits) against all current UAC opponents as of the completion of the 2025 season.
Attendance
The largest crowd for a UNA football game at Braly Stadium is 15,631, which was achieved on December 12, 1993, against the Indiana University of Pennsylvania. The previous record was 14,683, set in the season home opener in 1990.
Stadium
Braly Municipal Stadium (1949-2025)
The Lions have played at Braly Municipal Stadium since its first season in 1949. In this period, Braly has seen many memorable moments for the Lions. Most notably, Braly Stadium served as the host site of the 1993, 1994, and 1995 Division II National Championship Games where the Lions won 3 National Championships in a row. The 1993 National Championship Game, in particular, would become the most attended game in stadium history with an attendance of 15,631.
The Lions played their last season at Braly Stadium in 2025. They played their last game at the stadium on November 22 when they lost to Southern Utah 36-34 in double over time.
North Alabama finished their 77-year tenure at the stadium with an all-time record of 281-135-8. It also saw the Lions tie the Division II record for longest home win streak as they won 28 straight games from September 1993 to September 1994.
Bank Independent Stadium (2026-present)
On June 8, 2023, the university board of trustees unanimously approved the construction of a new on-campus stadium. The stadium, currently named Bank Independent Stadium, is set to be a multi-purpose stadium that will house the UNA football, soccer, and baseball teams. The stadium entered the design phase in Summer of 2023 and the university is aiming to be complete with construction by 2026 or 2027.
Tradition
Purple Swarm and #44
The Purple Swarm was the nickname for the UNA defense during the mid-1990s. In 1994 and 1995, the UNA defense was one of the best on the Division II level and was a major contributor to the three consecutive national championships. This defense also produced seven different All-Americans. In 2023, first-year head coach Brent Dearmon revived the Purple Swarm name as a way to preserve tradition through the Division I transition. He stated that, “Tradition is a big thing and I didn’t want, through all the transition, there to be a loss of that around this place.” He did so by aiming to build a “Purple Swarm” defense. He also brought back the helmet design from the mid-1990s. Another way that Dearmon aimed to honor tradition was by honoring Ronald McKinnon. During his time at UNA, McKinnon donned the #44 jersey number. Dearmon decided to start a new tradition by giving the #44 to a defensive leader each year. For the first year of the tradition in 2023, Phillip Ossai was given the honor to wear the #44. Since 2024, Jyheam Ingram has worn the #44.
Spirit Hill and the Lion Walk
Spirit Hill is the site of pregame tailgates. It is adjacent to Braly Stadium. 2 hours prior to kickoff, the Lions pass through Spirit Hill on their way into the stadium, in what is known as the Lion Walk.
UNA Field Flag
Starting in the mid-1990s, a 60' x 60' flag with the letters "UNA" was walked onto the field during pregame. Up to 60 participants would carry the flag onto the field in an honor that many campus organizations would have to sign up for during the pre-season to participate in. The tradition almost lasted 20 years and is no longer a part of pre-game ceremonies.
Victory Flame
From 1962 to 1986, a victory flame stood on campus before it was demolished for construction of a new commons building. A new Victory Flame was constructed in 1995 adjacent to its original site. The flame is lit after every UNA victory or after a significant event in the university's history. A replica of the Victory Flame stands atop the Lions’ locker room at Braly Stadium.
Pride Rock
The Pride Rock was introduced in 1994 as a way to remind the current players of the school's proud tradition and of all former players that have donned a North Alabama uniform. The Pride Rock is a 60-pound granite stone with the actual paw print of the UNA's live lion mascot, Leo I. It is placed at the north end zone for the players to touch as they make their entrance pre-game.