Candi Whitaker named UNA Women’s Basketball Head Coach

FLORENCE, Ala. (WHNT) — The search for the new Women’s Basketball Coach at the University of North Alabama is over.

UNA Director of Athletics Dr. Josh Looney announced the hiring of Candi Whitaker on Monday. Whitaker and the University agreed to teams on a four-year contract to lead the Lions.

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Whitaker brings 16 years of head coaching experience at multiple levels, including stints at the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) from 2006-2012, Texas Tech — her alma mater — from 2013-2017, and most recently at Missouri Western from 2019-2024.

This will not be the first time Looney has hired Whitaker, as he led the charge on her hire at Missouri Western in 2019. In five seasons with the Griffons, Whitaker had an overall record of 100-47 and led MWSU to the NCAA Division II Elite Eight in 2022 and the MIAA Regular Season Championship in 2024. She was named the 2024 MIAA Coach of the Year.

“We’re bringing a difference maker to North Alabama with the addition of Coach Whitaker,” said Dr. Looney. “Candi is a talented coach whose leadership impact expands beyond her basketball program. I’m fortunate to have worked alongside Candi previously and experienced her championship approach to program building. From her positive interactions as a role model for the women in her program, to her influence and engagement with University colleagues and the community at large, Coach Whitaker will make a difference at UNA and her family will be an asset to the Shoals community. We’re excited to welcome Candi, (husband) Matt, (and children) Westin, William, and Callahan to The Pride!”

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Whitaker becomes the ninth head coach in school history and takes over a program that has won over 700 games since 1975.

“We’re bringing a difference maker to North Alabama with the addition of Coach Whitaker,” said Dr. Looney. “Candi is a talented coach whose leadership impact expands beyond her basketball program. I’m fortunate to have worked alongside Candi previously and experienced her championship approach to program building. From her positive interactions as a role model for the women in her program, to her influence and engagement with University colleagues and the community at large, Coach Whitaker will make a difference at UNA and her family will be an asset to the Shoals community. We’re excited to welcome Candi, (husband) Matt, (and children) Westin, William, and Callahan to The Pride!”

Whitaker becomes the ninth head coach in school history and takes over a program that has won over 700 games since 1975.

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