Alabama men’s basketball coach Nate Oats has agreed to extend his contract until the end of the 2026-27 season, the school announced Thursday.
Oats also received a salary increase of $ 3,225 million annually.
“We feel we have a lot of positive momentum with our team and the program is heading in the right direction,” Oats said. “Our administration is making a major statement with this extension, because we are all working to build a successful long-term program. I know the winning story I had with Alabama basketball and I feel we can add to that and get things done here.
“… This is really a reflection of the outstanding work that our players, coaches and basketball staff have done over the last two years. Now we need all our attention to complete this season correctly and to give our team the best chance to succeed on the stretch. “
Oats has Alabama at the top of the SEC rankings at 17-5 overall and 12-1 in the conference, entering Saturday’s game against Vanderbilt. Crimson Tide ranked 8th in this week’s AP poll and is currently projected as a 2-seed in the NCAA tournament.
Tide has won 10 races at the beginning of this season.
Sports director Greg Byrne has hired Oats to replace Avery Johnson after the 2018-19 season. Oats has spent the last four years at Buffalo, leading the Bulls to three NCAA tournaments and two first-round wins.
“I had high expectations when I hired Coach Oats,” Byrne said. “It has exceeded these expectations and we want to make sure that it will be offset in the first half of the ESA. We have implemented purchasing measures that show the long-term commitment between the two sides.
“Coach Oats and his staff built a comprehensive program that maximized the student-athlete experience, significantly increased interest in Alabama basketball with future recruits, and presented a product that excited our fan base.”
Alabama went 16-15 in the first season of Oats in the lead.