Candi Whitaker was named the ninth head coach in University of North Alabama women’s basketball history on March 25, 2024. Entering her second season with the Lions in 2025–26, Whitaker is coming off a 13-win debut campaign that included an appearance in the Atlantic Sun Conference Tournament. She brings 17 years of head coaching experience and a career record of 244–239 to Florence. Prior to UNA, Whitaker built a highly successful five-year run at Missouri Western, compiling a 100–47 record, leading the Griffons to the 2022 NCAA Division II Elite Eight and capturing the 2024 MIAA Regular Season Championship. She was named the 2024 MIAA Coach of the Year.
Whitaker’s head coaching résumé also includes stops at UMKC (2006–2012) and Texas Tech (2013–2017), her alma mater. At UMKC, she led the program to its first two postseason appearances and finished with 77 wins, while at Texas Tech she guided a significant program turnaround and won 54 games over five seasons. Across her career, Whitaker has coached seven WNBA draftees, produced seven nationally ranked recruiting classes, and mentored 62 academic all-conference selections. A former standout player, she helped Texas Tech reach consecutive Sweet Sixteen appearances after earning NJCAA All-American honors at Seward Community College. Whitaker holds a bachelor’s degree from Texas Tech and a master’s degree from Valparaiso. She and her husband, Matt, have three children: Westin, Will, and Callahan.
