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Nate Oats addresses Alabama future amid UNC rumors: 'I'm not looking to leave'
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- Nate Oats addresses Alabama future amid UNC rumors: 'I'm not looking to leave'
CHICAGO, IL. — Nate Oats ' name continues to circulate for the North Carolina men's basketball head coach job opening.
However, don't expect the seventh-year Crimson Tide coach to jump to the Tar Heels opening, or any other one, for that matter. Oats candidly answered questions about his future with Alabama on Thursday, March 26, one day before the Crimson Tide takes on No. 1 Michigan in the Sweet 16 from the United Center.
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"As a young high school coach, I didn't think I'd ever be in this spot not too long ago. I'm not a guy that's always trying to jump around," Oats said. "The grass isn't always greener. I love Alabama. My girls love Alabama."
"I'm not looking to leave," Oats added
Oats has led the Crimson Tide to four NCAA Tournament Sweet 16s, including a run to the Final Four during the 2023-24 season — the first Final Four appearance for Alabama in program history.
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The program has reached the NCAA Tournament for six straight seasons, tying the longest mark in program history. Oats is not satisfied.
"I'd love to be the first coach to bring us a national championship," Oats said.
North Carolina fired Hubert Davis on Tuesday, March 24, following a first-round exit loss to No. 11 VCU. He finished with a 125-54 record over five seasons in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, including an appearance in the 2022 national championship game.
Oats signed an extension with Alabama in March 2024, ahead of the Crimson Tide's Final Four run. The team made the Elite Eight last season and is back in the Sweet 16. However, that does not mean Oats — who is making $5.5 million this season and under contract through 2031 — is necessarily looking for another contract extension.
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"I still can't believe I am getting paid this much. I'm coaching basketball guys," Oats said of his current contract with Alabama. "I did this thing for free at Maranatha [Baptist] for three years. ... For the first 16 years I coached basketball, [I made] less than $500,000 total.
"My salary goes up half a million every year. I am a glorified P.E. teacher making too much money right now. So, I'm not going to complain."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Alabama coach Nate Oats addressed the North Carolina coaching rumors
