Alabama fans are rightfully concerned about Crimson Tide head coach Nate Oats’ latest comments.
Alabama Crimson Tide fans are a little concerned after some comments from head basketball coach Nate Oats this week.
Oats appeared on The Paul Finebaum Show on Wednesday and he was asked about his potential interest in leaving Alabama for the NBA.
The 2021 SEC coach of the year said that he’s happy to be at Alabama, but he didn’t exactly rule out an eventual jump to the NBA.
“There may have been some rumors. There’s been no real offers,” said Oats. “I’ve got daughters still in high school. I’m not sure I want that travel schedule right now, to be honest with you. I like our travel schedule in college a lot better than what the NBA’s is. So there hasn’t been a real need for me to move.”
“I haven’t seen the need to move, to be honest with you,” continued Oats. “I feel like we’ve been the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament, we’ve made a Final Four, we’ve won more SEC championships than anybody in the SEC since we’ve been here. So we can win at the highest level here.
“I enjoy it where I’m at. The people treat us well. We’re winning at a high level. So I’d like to win the whole thing here sooner rather than later. That’s the goal.”It certainly doesn’t sound like a move is inevitable, but it also sounds like Oats hasn’t had a legitimate offer to consider, either. If a real offer comes, maybe Oats changes his tune. Using phrases like “right now” and “hasn’t been a real need for me to move” isn’t exactly reassuring that Oats plans to sign a lifetime contract with the Crimson Tide anytime soon.
If Oats keeps winning at a high level, either a prestigious blue blood (North Carolina may eventually feel the need to go outside of the UNC family for a coach, for example) or an NBA team is going to come calling. And at that point, Oats will have a tough decision to make.
Until then, Alabama fans just need to enjoy having one of the best coaches in the sport roaming the sidelines in Tuscaloosa.
