Do Alabama Fans Need to Fear Nate Oats to UNC?

March 26, 2026 Michael Brauner AL BASKETBALL, Alabama, Featured News
LOUISVILLE, KY - MARCH 24: Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nate Oats reacts to the call during the San Diego State Aztecs versus the Alabama Crimson Tide in the Sweet Sixteen Round of the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship South Regional on March 24, 2023, at KFC Yum! Center in Louisville, KY. (Photo by Jeffrey Brown/Icon Sportswire)

The Alabama Crimson Tide is getting set to play the biggest game of the season on Friday night against No. 1 seed Michigan with a trip to the Elite Eight on the line.

While Nate Oats tries to get his team ready to play, a potential distraction could be looming with one of the biggest jobs in college basketball opening up, and as has been the case with Oats over the years, many have linked him to the opening.

With North Carolina firing Hubert Davis, one of the most storied programs in the history of college basketball is looking for a new coach.

It’s important to note that while having to worry about losing their coach is the last thing fans want on their mind especially before a huge game, it’s also a testament to the job Oats has done since coming to Tuscaloosa.

Coaching in his fifth Sweet Sixteen including the fourth consecutive — something just two other programs in the country can boast over the last half decade — Oats has ushered in a golden age of basketball to the University of Alabama.

But would he leave it all behind in favor of one of the most storied programs in the nation?

Nothing is impossible in today’s day and age of college athletics, but ultimately it would be a fairly significant surprise if Oats even entertained the opening. Two years ago when the Kentucky job came open, Oats quickly removed himself from consideration publicly and wound up signing an extension.

Tide fans will hope North Carolina plays out similarly as Kentucky, but there is no denying that if UNC does in fact come calling, it would be tough for Oats to not at least listen.

At the end of the day, it seems Oats is committed to being in Tuscaloosa and wants to build his own championship level program at Alabama. But you can never say never.