Alabama basketball coach Nate Oats reveals he tested positive for COVID this summer, reacts to Nick Saban news
By Jake Rill
Published:
Head football coach Nick Saban and athletic director Greg Byrne aren’t the only members of Alabama’s athletics department to have tested positive for COVID-19. Men’s basketball coach Nate Oats also has had the virus, although his positive test came much earlier.
On Thursday, Oats shared with the media that he tested positive for COVID-19 in July, so he doesn’t have to worry about whether he recently came into contact with Saban and/or Byrne, whose positive tests were announced by Alabama on Wednesday.
“I wouldn’t have known I was sick unless they were testing healthy people,” Oats told the media, including broadcaster Roger Hoover. “I had a dull headache for a few days that I worked through.”
Oats also reacted to the news of Saban’s positive test, as the football coach found out while preparing his team for Saturday’s big matchup against Georgia.
“Biggest football game in the SEC this year and the best coach in the SEC may not get to coach the game,” Oats told the media. “That’s unfortunate for everyone involved. Hopefully they get through it here quickly and back to doing their jobs.”
Oats has been the Crimson Tide’s men’s basketball coach since March 2019. His first season at the helm was cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic, as Alabama was 16-15 heading into the SEC Tournament, which was then canceled.
Although Saban may not be able to coach, Alabama’s football team is still scheduled to take on Georgia on Saturday at 8 p.m. ET on CBS at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
Jake Rill contributes to news coverage for Saturday Down South. He has covered the SEC since 2016.
