Nate Oats downplays Alabama contract situation, calls himself ‘glorified PE teacher making too much money’
By Jacob Moss
Published:
Over the past 6 seasons, Alabama head coach Nate Oats has been the architect of one of the most underrated turnarounds in recent college basketball history. It wasn’t very long ago that the Crimson Tide were largely considered an afterthought on both the SEC and National stages, but Oats now has the program just 1 win away from their third consecutive appearance in the Elite 8.
The height of this run came back in 2024 when Oats lead the Tide to the Final 4 for the first time in school history, and was rewarded with a handsome extension shortly thereafter. Despite this current contract slated to run through 2030, though, many have begun calling for the brass in Tuscaloosa to give the head ball coach another pay raise in order to stave off any potential suitors who might be tempted to lure him away in the near future.
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This ongoing debate has been simmering in the background of Alabama’s current run, but Oats made it clear to reporters on Thursday night that he isn’t too concerned with whether or not he’ll be receiving a raise, and that his heart is still firmly in Tuscaloosa.
“Listen, I say this a lot. I am a high school coach that caught a couple breaks in life, and there’s probably high school coaches better than me out there that just didn’t get the breaks,” Oats said. “… We’ve had discussions. I’m open to redoing them. But I’m not really looking to leave. I’m pretty honest with them. If they come up with one that makes sense to do, it’s good. I’d love to stay there… I’m a Glorified PE teacher making too much money right now. I’m not going to complain.”
Oats also went on to say that he doesn’t have a new offer in hand, but that there have been discussions between himself and the administration. He also said that an extension is “probably getting close,” and reiterated that he still wants to be at Alabama.
Can Nate Oats take Alabama back to the Final Four? Kalshi is taking action on predictions for which teams make it to Indianapolis!
