Alabama men’s basketball coach Nate Oats gets contract extension, raise, increased buyout

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — University of Alabama Director of Athletics Greg Byrne announced Thursday that men’s basketball coach Nate Oats and the school have agreed to a raise and contract extension.

The new agreement will extend his current contract by three seasons to six years and keep him in charge of the Crimson Tide program through March 14, 2027. The base salary and talent fee will increase to $3.225 million annually.

Oats’ buyout based on his previous contract would now be above $10 million over the next two years. 

"We have put buyout measures in place that show the long-term commitment between both parties,” Byrne said in the release.

“Crystal and our daughters love it here, and we are committed to The University of Alabama," Oats said. "We feel like we have a lot of positive momentum going with our team and have the program headed in the right direction. Our administration is making a major statement with this extension as we all work on building a successful program for the long term. I know the winning history we’ve had with Alabama basketball, and I feel like we can add to that and accomplish great things here."

Alabama coach Nate Oats gives his players a look during a game against LSU, (Photo: The Associated Press)

Now in his second season at the helm of the Crimson Tide program, Oats has guided Alabama (17-5, 12-1 SEC) to the top of the Southeastern Conference standings. The Tide is ranked No. 9 in the latest Ferris Mowers Coaches Poll. Projected as a No. 2 seed in this year’s NCAA Tournament, which would match the highest seed in program history, the Crimson Tide are two wins from clinching the program’s first regular season SEC title in 19 years. Oats has a record of 33-20 (.623) across his two years and a 20-11 (.645) mark against SEC competition.

Before coming to Alabama, Oats spent four seasons (2015-19) at the University at Buffalo, where he led the Bulls to a 96-43 (.691) record, three MAC Tournament championships and three NCAA Tournament appearances. He was named the league's coach of the year and finished fourth in the voting for the 2019 Associated Press Men's College Coach of the Year. 

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