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Fulton Today
By the People, for the People
Alabama Coach Nate Oats Responds to Criticism Over Playing Ineligible Player
Oats says he reads his Bible daily to guide his response to the controversy surrounding Charles Bediako's eligibility.
Published on Feb. 14, 2026
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Alabama men's basketball head coach Nate Oats responded to criticism from opposing coaches Bucky McMillan and Bruce Pearl over his decision to play forward Charles Bediako, who was denied an injunction in an NCAA eligibility lawsuit. Oats said he reads his Bible daily to guide his response and that some of McMillan's comments were taken out of context.
Why it matters
The controversy surrounding Bediako's eligibility has sparked debate over the fairness of Alabama playing an ineligible player against other SEC teams. The situation raises questions about the NCAA's rules and how coaches should handle such cases involving their players.
The details
Bediako was denied an injunction in his lawsuit against the NCAA, making him ineligible to play for Alabama this season. However, Oats played Bediako in 5 games before the denial, during which Alabama went 3-2. This led to criticism from Texas A&M's Bucky McMillan, who felt it was unfair for other teams to have to play against Alabama's full roster, and from former Auburn coach Bruce Pearl, who called Oats 'selfish' for playing Bediako.
- Bediako was denied his injunction by Tuscaloosa Circuit Court Judge Daniel Pruet on Monday.
- Alabama went 3-2 in the 5 games Bediako played before the denial of his injunction.
The players
Nate Oats
The head coach of the Alabama men's basketball team.
Charles Bediako
A former Alabama forward who sued the NCAA in an eligibility lawsuit earlier this season.
Bucky McMillan
The head coach of the Texas A&M Aggies men's basketball team.
Bruce Pearl
The former head coach of the Auburn Tigers men's basketball team and current TV analyst.
What they’re saying
“How is it made right for us? They're not gonna be able to play with their full roster against the other teams, when we had to play against their full roster.”
— Bucky McMillan, Texas A&M Head Coach (wtug.com)
“Nate said he'd play (Bediako) a 100 times again. What that tells me is, Nate doesn't really care about the SEC; he doesn't care about the NCAA. And it's fine, you're (just) going to care about your student-athletes, that's fine, but you're a member of this conference, and you're a member of the NCAA. What about the rest of the teams, what about the rest of the players? Why should those five teams have to play against an ineligible player? I think it was selfish, and I think it was wrong.”
— Bruce Pearl, Former Auburn Head Coach and TV Analyst (wtug.com)
“Good thing I read my Bible every morning because I just read James. How to respond to certain situations like this and respond with love; that's the way it tells me to respond.”
— Nate Oats, Alabama Head Coach (wtug.com)
What’s next
The judge in Bediako's case will decide on whether to allow him to play for the remainder of the season.
The takeaway
This controversy highlights the complex issues surrounding player eligibility and the competing interests of individual teams, conferences, and the NCAA. Coaches' responses reflect the need to balance supporting their players with upholding the rules and fairness of the game.
