Alabama’s March Madness run ended in heartbreak, as the Crimson Tide fell flat in the Elite Eight against top-seeded Duke. Just days after a record-shattering performance in the Sweet 16, Alabama couldn’t replicate that magic, falling 85-65 to the Blue Devils. The loss marked the end of a season filled with highs and lows, and Oats was pretty crestfallen. “It’s tough. Within 48 hours from playing as well as we did to playing as poorly as we did. That’s how the NCAA Tournament works…you play poorly, and you get sent home, and that’s what happened,” he said post-game. However, if it’s worth anything, there is still a financial silver lining. 

Despite Alabama’s struggles in the Elite Eight, Oats walked away with a nice bonus from the tournament run. Sports projector Steve highlighted through X: “Duke advances to NCAA men’s Final Four by beating Alabama. Crimson Tide coach Nate Oats finishes season with $125,000 in bonuses.” 

Under his leadership, Alabama has established itself as a consistent contender, reaching the program’s first-ever Final Four last season and making it to the elite eight for the second consecutive time this season. Since taking over in 2019, Oats has transformed the Tide into a national powerhouse, winning two SEC regular-season titles and an SEC Tournament championship.

Financially, Oats is well-compensated for his success. His contract, which runs through 2029, pays him $5 million annually, making him one of the highest-paid coaches in men’s college basketball. That figure places him 10th among the sport’s top earners, trailing the likes of Kansas’ Bill Self, who leads the pack at $8.8 million per year.

Oats’ $125,000 tournament bonus came through multiple performance incentives. He earned $50,000 for securing a tournament berth and an additional $75,000 for advancing to the Elite Eight. If Alabama had made a second consecutive Final Four, he could have had his eyes on an even larger payout, with potential earnings of up to $700,000 in bonuses for the season.

But for Oats, success isn’t just about the money—it’s about building a championship program. Despite the disappointment of falling short this year, he remains confident that Alabama’s time is coming. “We’ll get back to the Final Four and win one soon,” Oats told The Athletic after the loss. With his track record of success and a strong recruiting pipeline, Alabama fans have every reason to believe him.

As for what has already transpired, Alabama struggled to find an offensive rhythm against Duke’s suffocating defense. The Crimson Tide, who had torched BYU with an NCAA Tournament-record 25 three-pointers in the Sweet 16, went ice cold from deep, shooting just 8-for-32 from beyond the arc. Mark Sears, who had been the hero against BYU with 34 points, was held to just six points on 2-for-12 shooting. Duke’s defensive pressure and size—led by Most Outstanding Player of the East Region, Cooper Flagg—proved too much to overcome.

While Oats pocketed a solid bonus, Duke head coach Jon Scheyer also benefited financially from his team’s Final Four berth. Scheyer, who took over from the legendary Mike Krzyzewski in 2022, has a contract that reportedly pays him around $8 million per year, and his tournament incentives add another layer of rewards. With Duke returning to the Final Four for the first time since Coach K’s retirement, Scheyer has cemented his status as a rising star in college coaching circles. 

So, March Madness isn’t just about wins and losses—it’s also a major payday for coaches. With the tournament heating up, several head coaches have racked up substantial bonuses based on their teams’ performances.

How much cash bonus will coaches earn during March Madness?

Tennessee’s Rick Barnes leads the way with $700,000 in bonuses so far. His contract rewards him at multiple stages. He earned $200,000 for each of Tennessee’s first two wins. He’s also set to get another $100,000 for finishing in the AP top 25. If Tennessee reaches the Final Four, Barnes will clear $1 million in bonuses.

Kentucky’s Mark Pope, who got a one-year contract extension worth $6.25 million, locked in a $50,000 bonus for making the Sweet 16. Arkansas’ John Calipari has a different deal. He doesn’t get lump-sum bonuses like most Power Four coaches. Instead, every tournament win extends his contract and raises his salary. Thanks to Arkansas’ run, his pay bump now totals $250,000. That adds over $8.7 million to his contract’s value.

Pope, who took over for Calipari at Kentucky, didn’t earn SEC-related bonuses. Auburn won the regular-season title, and Florida won the conference tournament. But making the Sweet 16 secured him his first tournament bonus and a longer contract.

Houston’s Kelvin Sampson could also hit a massive payday. If the Cougars win it all, he’ll cross $1 million in bonuses.

With Alabama and Texas Tech out, the bonuses for Nate Oats and Grant McCasland are settled. Oats banked $125,000 for Alabama’s run. McCasland also secured his incentives for Texas Tech’s deep push.

While players battle for a title, coaches are racking up serious cash. With the Final Four ahead, some could see even bigger paydays soon.