National media reacts to Nate Oats' controversial comments on Brandon Miller

More details about the ongoing murder case involving former Alabama basketball player Darius Miles emerged Tuesday with police testimony revealing Miles allegedly texted highly-touted freshman star Brandon Miller to bring him the gun that was later used to kill Jamea Jonae Harris in mid-January. Nate Oats addressed the situation Tuesday, saying Miller was not in trouble and it was a “wrong spot at the wrong time” situation.

“We’ve known the situation since [it happened],” Oats said. “We’ve been fully cooperating with law enforcement the entire time. The whole situation is sad. The team closed practice with a prayer for the situation today, knowing that we had this trial today. We think of Jamea and her family, Kaine. Really think about her son, Kaine, that was left behind. It’s sad.

“We knew about that. Can’t control everything anybody does outside of practice. Nobody knew that was going to happen. College kids are out. Brandon hasn’t been in any type of trouble nor is he in any type of trouble in this case. Wrong spot at the wrong time.”

His response has received stark criticism for the media for being nonchalant and somewhat dismissive of a very serious allegation.

What a bombshell. A likely first team All-American on the No. 2 team in the country provided his teammate a gun that became a murder weapon.

And then his coach Nate Oats had the gall to call it "wrong place, wrong time!" https://t.co/NSQXnmFtKw

— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) February 21, 2023

How did this even come out of his mouth? https://t.co/0gT6yEWjfP

— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) February 21, 2023

I can’t believe Nate Oats used that wording about an actual murder…like it was some casual incident

I have been a fan of his style but the arrogance that has made his trash talk entertaining turned into a flippant comment that is going to turn up the heat on him a lot

— Matt Jones (@KySportsRadio) February 21, 2023

My column on Nate Oats and the dumpster fire at Alabama is on the way. Truly one of the more shocking and disappointing days I’ve had covering college sports in awhile. Oats and AD Greg Byrne should be ashamed.

— Dan Wolken (@DanWolken) February 21, 2023

As sad/disturbing as this story was to begin with, it's gotten even worse. Two other Bama players—incl. star frosh Brandon Miller—were at the scene of this woman's murder. Those details were not previously disclosed. Miller allegedly retrieved the gun. Wow.https://t.co/Ej6Bq7w93k

— Matt Norlander (@MattNorlander) February 21, 2023

Brandon Miller did WHAT?

Nate Oats said WHAT?

— Barrett Sallee 🇺🇸 (@BarrettSallee) February 21, 2023

Regardless of whether Brandon Miller legally did anything wrong, bringing a gun that resulted in the death of a human being isn't "wrong spot at the wrong time." I'm still flabbergasted Nate Oats actually used those words to describe the situation.

— John Talty (@JTalty) February 21, 2023

Police testify Darius Miles texted Brandon Miller for gun used in killing of Jamea Jonae Harris

Nate Oats response came after AL.com’s Carol Robinson reported the testimony, which reveals Brandon Miller’s alleged involvement. When Miller arrived on the scene of last month’s shooting, Miles told Michael Davis — who allegedly pulled the trigger and killed Jamea Jonae Harris — “the heat is in the hat.” That, according to Det. Brandon Culpepper, meant a gun was on the scene. Then, Miles said “there’s one in the head,” which meant a round was in the chamber.

Police also testified Miller’s windshield was hit twice by gunfire. Tuscaloosa chief deputy district attorney Paula Whitley also spoke with AL.com about why Miller didn’t receive any charges in the case, which saw Miles get charged with capital murder.

“That’s not a question I can answer,” Whitley said. “There’s nothing we could charge with him according to the law.”