North Alabama has fired football coach Chris Willis after a 1-7 start to the 2022 season, the school announced.

Willis went 20-34 in six seasons with the Lions, who lost 64-29 at Central Arkansas on Saturday. After many years as a Division II powerhouse, North Alabama moved up to Division I in 2018 and is in its first season as a member of the Atlantic Sun Conference.

“Coach Willis led North Alabama football with high character and integrity during the most unique time in our program’s proud history,” UNA athletics director Josh Looney said. “We are incredibly grateful for the positive impact Chris has made on campus, in the community, and with thousands of student-athletes during his 21 seasons on the football staff. Chris and his family are tremendous people and we appreciate their dedication to UNA greatly.”

The 48-year-old Willis was an assistant at North Alabama for 15 years before taking over as head coach in 2017 following the retirement of program legend Bobby Wallace. The Lions went 5-5 in their final season of Division II football, then 7-3 in 2018 as a Division I FCS transitional program.

UNA joined the Big South Conference in 2019, then went 4-7, 0-4 (during the COVID-shortened 2020-21 season) and then 3-8 before losing seven of their first eight this season. The Lions recorded their lone victory of the season over NAIA program Virginia-Wise on Sept. 10 and have allowed at least 40 points in each of six straight losses since.

“On behalf of my family, I want to express my sincere appreciation for the opportunity of a lifetime to serve as head football coach at the University of North Alabama,” Willis said. “Over the two decades as assistant coach, defensive coordinator and head coach, I have built some unbelievable relationships and memories for a lifetime. To our players, both past and present, I’m forever indebted to you for what you have given me. To all the coaches I’ve worked with at UNA since 2002, thank you for your hard work, dedication and friendship. I am so appreciative of the hard work our current staff and student athletes have put into this season.

“Even though I won’t be there when you finish the season, I will forever be your biggest fan and rooting for you. Fans, alumni and friends who have supported me behind the scenes, thank you for your loyalty. Our family bleeds purple and wishes the Lion family nothing but the best.”

Offensive coordinator Ryan Held, a former Nebraska assistant, has been installed as UNA’s interim head coach. The Lions host Austin Peay for their final ASUN game of the season on Saturday at Braly Stadium in Florence.