Alabama announces hiring of new basketball coach from mid-major ranks
By Adam Spencer
Published:
After missing the NCAA Tournament and losing in the first round of the NIT to Norfolk State, Alabama parted ways with coach Avery Johnson.
Just as fans were settling in for a potentially lengthy coaching search, the Crimson Tide swooped in and made a quick hire from the mid-major ranks.
Per AD Greg Byrne, the Tide have hired Buffalo coach Nate Oats to take over for Johnson and lead the team into the future:
Thrilled to welcome @nate_oats to @AlabamaMBB! #RollTide pic.twitter.com/vo8YRUXPg3
— Greg Byrne (@Greg_Byrne) March 27, 2019
In four years at Buffalo, Oats amassed a 97-43 overall record, making it to the NCAA Tournament three times. He has led the Bulls to the Round of 32 each of the past two years.
He’ll have to rebuild a roster that currently has four players in the NCAA transfer portal, but he is a strong coach.
Adam is a daily fantasy sports (DFS) and sports betting expert. A 2012 graduate of the University of Missouri, Adam now covers all 16 SEC football teams. He is the director of DFS, evergreen and newsletter content across all Saturday Football brands.
