Crimson Tide coach Nate Oats has had his hand in creating Alabama basketball 's practice and training facility since the project was first announced last year.
"They've had me heavily involved in the entire thing," Oats told The Next Round at the Regions Tradition.
Architects and construction workers probably wished that wasn't the case after Oats came back from Boston last summer. After a little less than a week with Celtics head coach Joe Mazzula, Oats returned to Tuscaloosa with some new ideas he'd stowed away in his suitcase.
"I came back and kind of blew up the plans," Oats said.
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"Literally, we're to the end, and I'm like no, we're doing it all different," Oats said.
The communication went all the way to UA Director of Athletics Greg Byrne and President Stuart Bell, who agreed to Oats' requests.
"I think it's gonna be a one-of-a-kind facility. The people designing it said they'd pitched these ideas to people and they didn't really buy em," Oats said.
"It's gonna be very integrated," Oats explained. "It's going to be a lot easier to build relationships with players, and I think that's very important in the transfer portal, NIL day."
Oats said there won't be a player lounge or a staff lounge, but "one big shared space."
Where Oats' office is currently located in Coleman Coliseum, he's on the opposite end of where players are practicing, so he struggles to know when guys are coming in to shoot, or who's available for a quick conversation before a voluntary workout.
Oats explained that his office on the practice floor neighbors three more for Crimson Tide assistants, all standing across from the weight room, which will conjoin with the training room.
Using his hands to lay out the blueprint of the facility, Oats indicated his office will be closest to the stairs, which lead to the second floor that'll host support staff and the common area for all involved in the program.
Oats gave a smirk when he brought up the courtyard, one of the more recent additions approved for the facility, going on to note he has one at his house and often finds himself tempted to work outside.
In February, the project's budget increased by $500k when the University of Alabama System Board of Trustees voted for the facility to include separate courtyards for men's and women's teams, which will serve as communal areas for players and incoming recruits. Two months later, trustees voted to slash $115k of the budget previously allocated to 'Landscaping.'
"I hate being locked up in an office," Oats said.
Oats' one rule? "No bird baths."
The facility is expected to be complete by "next summer," according to Oats, adding the team anticipates moving in "this time next year." By that estimate, all should be said and done by May 2026.
Byrne told the Tuscaloosa News in December that the facility will offer "the latest technology," adding that the "first step" Alabama takes towards renovations on Coleman start with the practice facility.
"I'm super excited. I can't wait," Oats said.
Emilee Smarr covers Alabama basketball and Crimson Tide athletics for the Tuscaloosa News. She can be reached via email at esmarr@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Nate Oats on blueprint, expected move-in for Alabama basketball practice facility
