Nate Oats is not interested in the Maryland job. Or any other college basketball job at the moment, much to the chagrin of Alabama's rivals. It's obvious why they would want to create rumors and hope he's going to leave; Oats has built a powerhouse in Tuscaloosa, leading the Crimson Tide to three consecutive appearances in the Sweet 16 with the program's first Final Four last year and a second consecutive berth in the Elite Eight this year.
Oats is one of the best coaches in college basketball. His name will consistently be brought up in coaching carousel rumors because who wouldn't want him leading their program? His coaching tree continues to grow, with Ryan Pannone becoming the fifth Oats assistant in his six years at Alabama to get a head coaching job.
Other programs want what Oats has built in Tuscaloosa. Last year, there were rumors connecting Oats to the Kentucky job before he signed a contract extension with the Crimson Tide. That contract extension raised his buyout up to $18 million through the end of next March.
It's a good thing to have a coach that other programs want. That means he's doing something right. But Oats has not flirted with other jobs since arriving in Tuscaloosa six years ago. That won't stop the rumor mill. And it won't stop rival fans and trolls from outright making things up, either.
The rumors started swirling last night from an obvious troll account that, for whatever reason, had respected media members nabbing at the bait:
#BREAKING: Nate Oats has emerged as the frontrunner to be the next HC at Maryland, per source.
— Rob Reinhart (@RealRobReinhart) March 31, 2025
I’m told Oats has become increasingly frustrated with the NIL situation at Alabama, as most of the funds have been diverted to football. pic.twitter.com/KnYL3BZ2HI
Jeff Goodman dispelled those rumors early Monday morning:
Alabama head coach Nate Oats has no interest in the vacant Maryland job, source told @thefieldof68.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) March 31, 2025
There’s been some recent chatter about Oats and the Terps job.
No truth to it.
Oats has immediately gotten to work on next year's roster following Alabama's Elite Eight loss to Duke. The Crimson Tide is hosting several Transfer Portal visitors this week as 2025-26 preparation has begun.
Nate Oats has everything he needs to win big at Alabama
Oats isn't going anywhere, any time soon. No matter how hard rival fans gnash their teeth over it. Alabama has one of the best coaches in the country, and you'll just have to deal with that.
Alabama has given Oats everything he needs to win, and win big. He has a robust NIL budget, a new practice facility being built, and plenty of money to spend on an assistant coaching pool. Oats will be able to build a roster every season that allows Alabama to compete with the big boys in college basketball.
Oats may one day decide to leave. If he does, most believe that would be to test NBA waters. But that day is not today, tomorrow, or any time soon.
Sorry to burst the bubble.