Alabama men's basketball coach Nate Oats said Monday that he is “fully committed” to his team and school following reports that Oats will be considered to start at Kentucky.
“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,” Oats said in a statement posted to X. wrote. Rest assured that I will continue that pursuit as head coach. ”
Oats' statement came a day after Sunday's news that longtime Kentucky coach John Calipari is close to signing for the same position at Arkansas.
Oats, 49, has a 117-54 record over five seasons with the Crimson Tide. He led Alabama to four NCAA Tournament appearances, including the program's first Final Four appearance this year, where they lost 86-72 to the No. 1 Conn Huskies.
Alabama's success under Oats led leadership to extend Oats' long-term contract last month. The deal puts Oats among the top five highest-paid coaches in the country, according to ESPN.
“We are excited about the success of our men's basketball program and Nate's continued contributions to the university,” Alabama athletic director Greg Byrne said in a statement at the time. “We look forward to having him lead our men's basketball program for many years to come.”
The Crimson Tide won SEC Regular Season Championships (2021, 2023) and SEC Tournament Championships (2021, 2023) under Oats. They went 25-12 last season.
Before Oats arrived in 2019, Alabama hadn't advanced past the first weekend of the NCAA Tournament since 2004. In the 2022-23 season, the Crimson Tide won a school-record 31 games under Oats and earned the No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. First time in program history.
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(Photo: Jordan Prather / USA Today)