Report: Alabama Loses Key Assistant Ahead of Elite Eight

Nate Oats and the Alabama Crimson Tide are set to take on the Duke Blue Devils in the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament in just a few hours. However, another distraction has arisen for the Crimson Tide.

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According to Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports, Alabama assistant coach Ryan Pannone is finalizing a deal to become the head coach of the Arkansas State Redwolves.

Pannone is the fifth Alabama assistant coach to accept a head coaching job after working for Nate Oats at Alabama.

Antoine Pettway - Kennesaw State
Charlie Henry - Georgia Southern
Bryan Hodgson - South Florida
Austin Claunch - UTSA
Ryan Pannone - Arkansas State

Pannone will replace Bryan Hodgson, a former Alabama assistant coach who was the head coach at Arkansas State for two seasons after leaving Alabama. Hodgson accepted the head coaching job at South Florida last week.

Pannone was primarily in charge of implementing the offensive game plan for Alabama men's basketball during his time with Nate Oats in Tuscaloosa.

He joined Nate Oats in Tuscaloosa in 2023 after serving as an assistant coach with the New Orleans Pelicans for two seasons.

For two seasons, Pannone was also the head coach of the Birmingham Squadron, the NBA G-League affiliate of the Pelicans.

Nate Oats and the Crimson Tide will search for a new assistant coach once the Crimson Tide's season ends in the NCAA tournament.

Wyatt Fulton is the Tide 100.9 DME and Brand Manager, primarily covering Alabama Crimson Tide football and men's basketball. For more Crimson Tide coverage, follow Wyatt on X (Formerly known as Twitter) at @FultonW_.