Though it's not quite the juggernaut the school's football program is — because, in fairness, what is? — Nate Oats has transformed the Alabama basketball program into one of the country's best.
Over the past four seasons, the Crimson Tide have won at least 25 games three times, capped off last year by its first-ever appearance in the Final Four.
Naturally, Oats' success has garnered outside interest. Alabama fans can rest easy, though. At least one of those potential destinations isn't on Oats' mind right now.
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In an interview with college basketball insider Jon Rothstein that was published Monday , Oats said that while he's flattered to be considered someone capable of making the jump from college to NBA coaching, he is "happy where I am right now."
"The NBA intrigues me for sure," Oats said. "Training camps open up this week in the NBA, and our staff is going to split up around the country and learn different concepts and bring them back. But I've got three daughters. I think the college coaching lifestyle makes it more conducive to being a good father. You're not on the road like you are all the time in the NBA. I'm happy where I am right now. We love it at Alabama. I'm going to continue to study the NBA, but we love it here right now."
Though several decorated college coaches failed to replicate their achievements in the NBA — a group that includes Rick Pitino, John Calipari, Mike Montgomery, Lon Kruger, Leonard Hamilton and John Beilein — Oats employs an NBA-style system that relies overwhelmingly on 3-pointers and shots at the rim, making him a logical fit at the next level.
Since Oats was hired at Alabama in 2019, six of his players have been drafted by NBA teams, including Brandon Miller , the No. 2 overall selection in the 2023 NBA Draft who made the NBA all-rookie first team after averaging 17.3 points per game for the Charlotte Hornets .
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Despite coaching at what's widely perceived to be a football school, Oats hasn't shown any strong desire to leave Tuscaloosa. Within hours of it being reported that John Calipari was leaving Kentucky last April, and as Oats' name was being widely connected to the Wildcats' vacancy, Oats released a statement reaffirming his commitment to the Tide.
"I am fully committed to this team and to this University," Oats' statement read . "We have already accomplished some great things here, and there is nothing I want more than for the University of Alabama to win its first national championship in men's basketball. Despite any rumors to the contrary, rest assured that I will continue that pursuit as your head coach."
Several weeks earlier, Oats received a contract extension through the 2029-30 season that will make him one of the highest-paid coaches in the sport.
Oats has gone 117-54 in five seasons at Alabama, including a 101-39 mark over the past four seasons. He has guided the Tide to the NCAA tournament in four consecutive seasons after it made it there only twice in the 13 seasons before he was hired.
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Nate Oats: NBA 'intrigues me', but 'I'm happy where I am right now'
