As UNC eyes Alabama's coach, Crimson Tide AD races to secure Oats' future amid tournament run and championship aspirations.
After North Carolina parted ways with Hubert Davis this week, Alabama head coach Nate Oats has been one of the top names to pop up that could be in the running for the job in Chapel Hill.
Oats has plenty in front of him immediately. No. 4 seed Alabama is getting set to face No. 1 seed Michigan in the Sweet 16 on Friday at the United Center in Chicago.
The program is two games away from reaching the Final Four, something Otes brought the team to in 2024.
On Friday, Alabama athletic director Greg Byrne told On3's BamaOnLine that the school is working to extend the contract of Oats amid the NCAA Tournament.
Byrne noted that Oats has high expectations for what he wants from Alabama.
“He’s been great,” Byrne said. “He’s very appreciative. He has high expectations. I don’t know of a successful coach that doesn’t, right? And so, we’ve tried to continue to evolve with him.
"In the world that we’re in right now, that has happened, and that will continue. He wants to win a national championship. We want to win a national championship. And it’s important for us at Alabama."
Still, Byrne noted that the team needs to stay strong at football. He referenced the football program before saying the Crimson Tide have an "opportunity" to be strong in other sports like basketball.
"We’ve got to be strong in football, and we have a great opportunity to be strong in men’s basketball and other sports, too," Byrne told AlabamaOnLine.
Oats wouldn't have to worry about being second fiddle to football at North Carolina, where the basketball program is king.
On Thursday, Oats made it clear he wants Alabama to remain a competitive program if he stays.
"They're doing everything they can to make sure that we've got a competitive program," Oats said.
"And 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. We got to a Final Four. To me, there's absolutely no reason to leave here."
Alabama could have a decision to make sooner rather than later depending on the outcome of Friday night's game against Michigan.
With the transfer portal set to come open on April 7, UNC would love for the opportunity to pounce on an available coach.