When John Calipari shook up the college basketball world Sunday night as rumors turned into reports of the legendary head coach leaving Lexington for Fayetteville, the conversation immediately turned to who could take over at Kentucky.
Among the names thrown out were Alabama head coach Nate Oats, and it makes a lot of sense as to why.
Oats is arguably the hottest name in the sport right now, having just brought an Alabama team that could not play defense for much of the season to the program’s first-ever Final Four.
And Kentucky is undeniably one of the premiere jobs in college basketball with everything a coach could possibly want.
But, according to the man himself, Alabama fans don’t need to worry about losing their coach any longer.
— Nate Oats (@nate_oats) April 9, 2024
“I am fully committed to this team and to this University. We have already accomplished some great things here, and there is nothing I want more than for the University of Alabama to win its first national championship in men’s basketball. Despite any rumors to the contrary, rest assured that I will continue that pursuit as your head coach. Roll Tide!” Oats posted on X.
Athletics Director Greg Byrne quoted Oats’ statement with his own post, pledging to continue supporting Oats and the program through NIL and alluding to the fact that they are still working to get a potential new practice facility or arena built:
https://twitter.com/Greg_Byrne/status/1777504685160841397
Before the start of the NCAA Tournament, Oats received a contract extension that included the highest buyout in the country at $18 million.
The deal also made Oats among the highest paid coaches in the sport.
When news of the Kentucky job being open broke, many suspected that even if Oats isn’t heading to the Bluegrass State, he could use the opportunity as leverage for an even bigger contract.
But, according to Nick Kelly of the Tuscaloosa News, Oats did not have his contract altered again before making the statement, even further signaling that Tuscaloosa is where Oats wants to be.
https://twitter.com/_NickKelly/status/1777509855399702713
Michael Brauner is a Senior Sports Analyst and Contributing Writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @MBraunerWNSP
