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Alabama Coach Oats Dismisses UNC Job Rumors
Oats says he has 'absolutely no reason to leave' Alabama amid speculation over North Carolina vacancy.
Mar. 26, 2026 at 10:34pm
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Alabama head coach Nate Oats dismissed rumors that he is interested in the head coaching job at the University of North Carolina, saying he has 'absolutely no reason to leave' Alabama. Oats, whose Crimson Tide team is still competing in the NCAA tournament, stated that he loves working at Alabama and with the school's administration, and that as long as the program is committed to competing for championships, he has no desire to leave. Oats' comments follow similar statements from other NCAA tournament coaches whose names have been floated as potential candidates for the UNC job.
Why it matters
The UNC head coaching job is one of the most prestigious in college basketball, so there is intense speculation and pressure on the school to find the right replacement after the dismissal of Hubert Davis. Oats' firm rejection of any interest in the UNC job helps provide clarity on the coaching search and indicates that the school may need to look elsewhere for its next head coach.
The details
In his press conference on Friday, Oats said he is 'not a guy that's trying to always jump around' and that 'the grass is not always greener.' He expressed his love for working at Alabama and with athletic director Greg Byrne, stating that 'as long as we're able to compete to win championships here — SEC, national championships, we haven't done that here yet. I'd love to be the coach to bring us our first national championship.' Oats added that he 'hasn't talked to anybody, nor do I plan on talking to anybody' about the UNC job.
- Alabama is preparing to face Michigan in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA tournament on Friday, March 26, 2026.
The players
Nate Oats
The head coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide men's basketball team.
Greg Byrne
The athletic director at the University of Alabama.
Hubert Davis
The former head coach of the North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball team, who was recently dismissed from the position.
What they’re saying
“I'm not a guy that's trying to always jump around. But the grass is not always greener. I love Alabama. My girls love Alabama. They're here with me.”
— Nate Oats, Head Coach, Alabama Crimson Tide
“As long as we're able to compete to win championships here — SEC, national championships, we haven't done that here yet. I'd love to be the coach to bring us our first national championship.”
— Nate Oats, Head Coach, Alabama Crimson Tide
“I haven't talked to anybody, nor do I plan on talking to anybody.”
— Nate Oats, Head Coach, Alabama Crimson Tide
The takeaway
Nate Oats' firm commitment to staying at Alabama despite the high-profile opening at North Carolina suggests the Tar Heels will need to look elsewhere for their next head coach, as the school faces intense pressure to make the right hire after the dismissal of Hubert Davis.
