Alabama Great Compares Nate Oats to Nick Saban

JaMychal Green sees similarities between the basketball and football coaches' program turnarounds.

Feb. 10, 2026 at 11:39pm

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Former Alabama basketball player JaMychal Green recently attended a Crimson Tide game and was impressed by the job head coach Nate Oats has done, going as far as to compare him to legendary football coach Nick Saban in terms of turning the program around.

Why it matters

Saban's success in rebuilding the Alabama football program into a national powerhouse is unparalleled, so for Green to draw that comparison to Oats speaks volumes about the job the basketball coach has done in a relatively short time period.

The details

Oats has led Alabama to the NCAA Tournament in every season he's been the head coach, including a Final Four appearance in 2024 and consistent success in the SEC with two regular season and two tournament titles. Green praised Oats' ability to quickly establish Alabama as a basketball force, much like Saban did on the gridiron.

  • Oats has been Alabama's head coach for seven seasons.
  • The Crimson Tide made the Final Four in 2024.
  • Alabama has won two SEC regular season and two SEC tournament titles under Oats, in 2021 and 2023.

The players

Nate Oats

The head basketball coach at the University of Alabama, who has led the Crimson Tide to consistent success and a Final Four appearance in his seven seasons at the helm.

Nick Saban

The legendary head football coach at the University of Alabama, who has built the Crimson Tide into a national powerhouse and won multiple national championships.

JaMychal Green

A former Alabama basketball player who recently attended a Crimson Tide game and was impressed enough by Oats' work to compare him to the iconic Saban.

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What they’re saying

“He's kind of reminding me of the new (Nick) Saban, basketball-wise. The way he came in and turned the program around and what he's doing. He's doing a great job. He was the perfect fit for the program and excited to see the continuance of greatness that he's bringing to the program.”

— JaMychal Green, Former Alabama Basketball Player

What’s next

Alabama is on track to make the NCAA Tournament once again this season as a high single-digit seed, and many expect the Crimson Tide's success under Oats to continue for years to come.

The takeaway

Nate Oats' ability to quickly turn Alabama basketball into a consistent winner and national contender has drawn comparisons to the legendary work Nick Saban has done in rebuilding the Crimson Tide football program, underscoring the impressive job Oats has done in Tuscaloosa.