Nate Oats calls out official early in first half against LSU

Mostly everyone on the Alabama sideline is enjoying an early lead against LSU. It’s the Crimson Tide’s first road game since getting blown out by Oklahoma in the Big 12/SEC Challenge, looking for a bounce back game. The one possibly not have a whole lot of fun is head coach Nate Oats.

Oats already has a technical foul to his name after arguing a common foul call with the officials. A warning was given out but with a few more words, LSU was at the free throw line shooting a pair. According to those in the Pete Maravich Center, Oats called out the specific officiating crew.

“Every time we get you I have to deal with this s***,” Oats said.

Even after multiple sequences have passed, Oats is still jawing at the officials. Whichever crew is in Baton Rouge calling the game on Saturday, it’s clear the Alabama head coach is not a fan of them.

LSU has gotten to the free throw line frequently as well, severely outnumbering Alabama’s total. Officiating is always a point of discussion but Oats is not thrilled early on.

Oats is going to have to be careful moving forward as one more technical would result in an ejection. He will not want to spend a majority of the game watching Alabama play from the locker room. Especially in such a crucial game, where the Crimson Tide can begin SEC play 10-0 for the second time in three years.

Nate Oats receives contract extension from Alabama

Alabama has locked down its basketball future with Nate Oats, reportedly giving him a contract extension and a massive pay bump. CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein was first to say Oats would stay in Tuscaloosa through the 2028-2029 season while making an “excess” of $4 million.

New details have emerged on the deal, also coming from Rothstein. The salary will be even higher for Oats, with Alabama shelling out “approximately” $5 million a year for their head coach. Incentives will be added as well, giving plenty of financial stability to Oats.

“Oats is now one of the highest-paid coaches in college basketball,” Rothstein said in the tweet.

SEC programs have really invested in basketball recently, with top-level head coaches joining the conference. John Calipari has been at Kentucky for some time and has been the dominant team over the years. However, Alabama has joined the likes of Arkansas, Auburn, and Tennessee in taking basketball more seriously.