Alabama fans are calling for a lifetime contract for Nate Oats after 3rd straight Sweet 16

Nate Oats continues to elevate the Alabama basketball program to heights it has not seen in a long time. In the 27 years between 1992 and 2019 when Nate Oats took over as head coach, the Crimson Tide made the 2nd weekend of the NCAA Tournament just one time, the miraculous run to the Elite Eight in 2004.

For the fourth time in five seasons, and the third consecutive season, Oats has led Alabama into the Sweet 16. Oats has raised the bar to unprecedented heights in Tuscaloosa and has made this program a legitimate national contender.

Oats led Alabama to their first Final Four in program history a year ago and is two wins away from doing so for a second consecutive season, though the road is perilous with a sharpshooting BYU waiting in the Sweet 16 and then top-seeded Duke likely standing in the way in the Elite Eight.

Some fans have expressed disappointment on how this season has gone, somehow. This is one of the four or five best seasons in program history, regardless of what happens next weekend in Newark.

Alabama advancing to the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament has everyone coming back to their senses, however, with fans taking to social media to send a loud message to Athletic Director Greg Byrne to offer a lifetime contract to Oats to keep him in Tuscaloosa indefinitely.

Fans on social media are screaming for Nate Oats to get a lifetime contract extension

Paul "Bear" Bryant, Nick Saban, and Nate Oats. In that order in terms of best hires in the history of Alabama athletics.

Auburn defeated Creighton Saturday to advance to the Sweet 16 for the....2nd time in the 11 years Bruce Pearl has been the Head Coach. Oats has now led Alabama to four Sweet 16 appearances in the last five seasons.

Alabama signed Oats to a 6-year, $38 million contract extension in March of last season, before the Crimson Tide made their run to the Final Four. His buyout is $18 million until March 31st of 2026, making it extremely difficult for another program to hire him in the next year.

But Alabama fans don't want anyone to hire Oats, ever. They want him in Tuscaloosa forever, until his career comes to a close. It's pretty obvious as to why, considering the level of success Oats has brought to Alabama.

Oats has earned a lifetime contract extension, and Byrne needs to continue to make a significant commitment to keep him in Tuscaloosa for the long haul.