Report: Nate Oats to receive multi-year extension, make $4 million annually

According to Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports, Alabama head coach Nate Oats has earned a contract extension. The move is expected to be made official on Friday by the University’s system board of trustees. It’s well-deserved for Oats, who has people in Tuscaloosa thinking about more than just the football team.

Oats’ extension will run through the 2028-2029 season, making his salary an “excess” of $4 million a year. He was previously middle of the road among SEC coaches when it came to salary. But with a new deal being approved, Oats finds himself near the top of the highest paid within the conference.

Alabama has played 119 games under Oats, currently having an 80-39 overall record. The team is fresh off the program’s largest margin of victory against an SEC opponent, taking down Vanderbilt 101-44 at Coleman Coliseum on Tuesday.

The contract extension will now keep anybody from coming in and attempting to sign Oats away from Alabama this offseason. Texas is already a big program expecting to conduct a coaching search this offseason, with a ton of top-level coaches being connected.

With a fresh deal for Oats, you would think his name would be crossed off the list. The famous blue-collar mentality Oats deploys will be staying in Tuscaloosa for the considerable future.

More on Nate Oats, time at Alabama

Oats was hired before the 2019-2020 season, coming off the backs of an unsuccessful stint in Tuscaloosa for Avery Johnson. The basketball program has flourished since then, continually being a top contender in the SEC and now, on the national stage.

Alabama is on track to make its third straight NCAA Tournament under Oats, something that has not been accomplished since Mark Gottfried made five straight from 2002-2006. Had COVID-19 not canceled the 2020 edition, the Crimson Tide could have had another appearance in its history as well.

A special run was made during the 2020-2021 season, winning both the SEC regular season and tournament championship. Alabama earned a No. 2 seed in the big dance and made a Sweet Sixteen after 17 years. Eventual Final Four participant UCLA was able to take down the Crimson Tide.

Oats might have his best-ever team assembled at the time being though. They have reached as high as No. 2 in the AP poll and contested for the top overall spot. Heading into Saturday’s game against LSU, Alabama has a 19-3 record and is a top-four team in both KenPom and the NET rankings.