The University of North Alabama and head men’s basketball coach Tony Pujol have agreed to a two-year contract extension, it was announced Monday morning.

The agreement will extend his current contract through the 2026-27 season, with an option to extend beyond 2027.

“The trajectory of UNA men’s basketball continues to elevate with Coach Pujol at the helm,” UNA athletics director Josh Looney said in a statement. “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.”

Pujol, who has coached every game at North Alabama since the program moved to the Division I level, will enter his seventh season with the program and has an overall record of 78–103.

The last two seasons have seen North Alabama post its best two-year stretch since 2013-14, according to the release, posting an 18-15 record in 2022-23 and a 15-17 record last season.

North Alabama advanced to the ASUN Conference semifinals last season with a 77-75 upset of No. 3 seed Lipscomb.

Pujol was hired at UNA on April 2, 2018, and has coached every game since North Alabama’s move to NCAA Division I. He previously served as an assistant at Wyoming (2016-18), Alabama (2009–14), VSU (2006-09) and Appalachian State (2004–06).

“I would like to thank President Kitts, Director of Athletics Josh Looney, our administration, our fans and the Shoals community for their continued support,” Pujol said in a release. “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!”

North Alabama’s men’s basketball team was predicted to finish third in the ASUN Conference coaches preseason poll, with guards Jacari Lane and Daniel Ortiz being named to the preseason all-conference team.

The Lions will open the season at Air Force on Nov. 4 before hosting NAIA Point on Nov. 7 for its home opener.