Former Lee University assistant coach Chris Walker is taking over the UNA soccer program, after Athletic Director Mark Linder announced him as the new Lions’ head coach Jan. 3.

“It’s exciting,” Walker said. “I’m looking forward to getting to know the team and getting to work.”

Walker said he is excited to be at UNA because “it’s somewhere that’s got a winning mentality.”

Walker was with the Lady Flames for three years, in which time Lee won three Southern States Athletic Conference regular season and tournament titles and back-to-back national championships in 2010 and 2011. The team currently holds the highest winning percentage in National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) national tournament play.

“He’s been very successful as an assistant coach and has earned the opportunity to be head coach at North Alabama and I’m sure he’ll continue to be successful,” said former UNA head coach Graham Winkworth.

Winkworth, who is getting settled in his new job at Division I school University of South Alabama, called Walker after the announcement to wish the new coach good luck.

“I’m excited for him and I want to wish him the very best,” Winkworth said.

Winkworth left big shoes for Walker to fill, posting an overall record of 111-81-8 in 10 seasons at UNA and being ranked as the program’s winningest coach.

In the last four years, Winkworth held an overall record of 65-18-3 and led the team to four straight NCAA D-II Tournament appearances and its first GSC title.

“Graham did a fantastic job here and it’s just something I want to build on,” Walker said.

Walker said his plan to build the UNA program includes “commitment, being a family and looking after each other,” as well as taking things one day at a time.

“If you do things right every day, the results will hopefully take care of themselves,” Walker said.

Another part of building the program includes, of course, recruiting. Walker said UNA assistant coach Chris McBride has already been recruiting overseas during the Christmas break, and that Walker will spend every spare moment he has in the spring doing the same.

Walker said he’s still getting to know Florence — he still plugs everything into his GPS, he said — but that Linder and Associate Director of Athletics Jana Morrison have been very helpful during his transition.

“I knew I was coming to a good place with good people,” Walker said.

Walker will hold his first team meeting Jan. 11.