Alabama basketball coach Nate Oats has been extended through the 2031-32 season after his new contract was approved on Wednesday, April 22.
Set to make $7.25 million annually over the course of the agreement, Oats is now one of the five highest paid coaches in college hoops at age 51.
Looking forward to embarking on his eighth season in Tuscaloosa after taking the program to four consecutive Sweet 16s, here's what Oats said about the deal.
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“I am blessed and honored for the opportunity to continue as the head coach of the men’s basketball program at the University of Alabama,” Oats said.
“President (Peter) Mohler, Chancellor (Sid) Trant, the entire Board of Trustees and our athletics director Greg Byrne have been tremendously supportive and provided us the resources to compete for championships each and every year."
Overall, Oats has gone 170-73 at the helm of the Crimson Tide. With a winning percentage of .700, he also touts two SEC regular season championships, a pair of SEC Tournament championships, five trips to the Sweet 16 and the program’s first-ever appearance in the Final Four.
"We have enjoyed tremendous success during our seven years at Alabama, and we look forward to building on that for many years to come," Oats continued.
Emilee Smarr covers Alabama basketball and Crimson Tide athletics for The Tuscaloosa News. She can be reached via email at esmarr@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Alabama basketball's Nate Oats approved for new contract: What he said