Nate Oats Named Semifinalist For Coach Of The Year
Alabama basketball coach Nate Oats is one of 10 semifinalist for the Naismith Men's College Coach Of The Year.
Oats has been impressive as a young coach, winning the SEC in his second season with the Crimson Tide. He has made quite a name for himself already, coming from humble beginnings as a high school math teacher just five years ago, to now being recognized as one of the nations best coaches.
Oats showed promise while coaching at Buffalo after stepping in for former Duke Blue Devil legend Bobby Hurley who was formerly the head coach.
Now Oats has made a serious impact with the Alabama basketball team and all of its loyal supporters. After last seasons 16-15 record before the season ended short due to the pandemic, Oats has now taken a huge jump in his second season with the Tide. Their record is currently 20-6 with a chance to go 21-6 in the regular season with a win Saturday at Georgia.
Oats has already brought a regular season SEC championship to Alabama, and the Tide hopes to win the SEC tournament next week in Nashville.
Oats would be the first Alabama head coach to win this award. The Tide and Oats are far from done as far as the season goes. Oats hopes to have a few more moments of magic in him as Alabama attempts to make a deep tournament run this March.