Detroit Lions

UNA coach Bobby Wallace retires after runner-up finish

Published Dec. 20, 2016 4:04 p.m. ET

FLORENCE, Ala. (AP) North Alabama coach Bobby Wallace has retired after leading the Lions to a Division II runner-up finish.

Wallace announced his retirement Tuesday, four days after North Alabama lost to Northwest Missouri State in the championship game. He won 126 games and three national titles in two stints with the Lions.

The former Temple and West Alabama coach is the winningest coach in Gulf South Conference history with 152 victories. He is a member of the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame and the Division II Football Hall of Fame.

Wallace says he has tried retirement two times previously ''but I think this one will stick. It's just time for me.'' He returned to North Alabama in 2012.

The program is preparing to transition to Division I.

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