Since it was revealed Sunday evening that the Arkansas Razorbacks were likely to sign former Kentucky Wildcats head coach John Calipari, rumours have circulated regarding who would succeed him.
Nate Oats, head coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide, was one name that came up repeatedly. Oats, who recently led his team to the Final Four for the first time in school history, was the most talked-about candidate in college basketball circles as the Wildcats’ next coach.
Even ESPN’s Paul Finebaum suggested Oats as a name to keep an eye on in the job search.
Finebaum stated this regarding the situation. Monday morning, he spoke on a Birmingham, Alabama radio station about his thoughts on the matter.
“I think Nate Oats is the one on everyone’s list,” Paul Finebaum stated. “The two best coaches in the country, in my opinion, are [Dan] Hurley and Nate Oats.” One is competing for the national championship tonight. Listen, I’m not privy to Nate Oats’ specific contract, but what is it? Close to $20 million, or anything similar?
Oats put all of the rumours to rest Monday evening, revealing on social media that he will be staying in Tuscaloosa.
Many questioned if Oats would respond if Kentucky called. And if they did, he appears uninterested.
Oats has one of the best recruiting classes in the country coming in next season, and he recently inked a massive extension that makes him one of the highest-paid coaches in the game, not to mention his $18 million buyout clause. So it obviously makes sense for him to remain in Tuscaloosa.
Rumours have also cited Baylor’s Scott Drew and Connecticut’s Dan Hurley.
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