What Is Alabama Coach Nate Oats’ Salary?

Three assistant coach replacements later, the Crimson Tide is thriving on its fifth straight year under head coach Nate Oats. Alabama’s 2023–24 season is undergoing a record haul with the recent 89–82 victory over No. 6 Clemson in the NCAA Tournament which landed them a first-ever Final Four appearance. But blocking UConn, the reigning national champions, from building momentum is what looms ahead as their biggest hurdle.

Even though Oats boasts a strong record that includes two Sweet 16 finishes, and two SEC regular-season and tournament titles, none of the feats come close to topping what his current team achieved this season. And as the saying goes, ‘With great risks come great rewards!’ Alabama didn’t delay the rewards for their star coach, extending his contract last month. Spoiler? the most lucrative deals come with an unflattering exit kick.

Nate Oats enters nation’s highest earner charts

Nathanael Justin Oats, 49, has already had two of his contracts extended by Alabama; the most recent one paid him $4.5 million a year and ran until the 2029 season. His latest contract authorized by the trustees compensation committee of the UA ranks among the highest-paid coaches in the nation in the first year of his new contract, earning $5 million; courtesy of making basketball popular and successful in Tuscaloosa. Through the 2030 season, when the current six-year contract expires, Oats will accumulate $7.55 million. The deal expires on March 14, 2030.

There were several perks tied to the contract. In addition to earning $50,000 for qualifying for the NCAA Tournament, Oats stands to gain $50,000 for winning both the SEC regular-season and tournament titles. If he wins outside of the Final Four, he can receive $25,000 once he gets to the final dance. $300,000 will be awarded for a victory in the Final Four, and $500,000 for winning the entire tournament. Oats would receive $650,000 if they made it through the NCAA Tournament.

In addition, other payouts include winning the SEC Coach of the Year ($25,000) and National Coach of the Year ($50,000). Meeting certain academic standards, including an 85% grad rate, and an NCAA-approved APR score, can earn Oats another $25,000. Currently, Oats is tied for third in annual average value for the duration of the contract and is fourth in annual average value in collegiate contracts. Now comes the balance striker of the deal, you didn’t think it was going to be all mellow, did you?

The meaty part of the deal

What if Oats leaves before April 1, 2026? He can be bought out for $18 million. The amended contract was put in place on March 15. Greg Byrne, the director of athletics at Alabama, stated that this is the largest buyout in the nation, given that Oats will receive $18 million annually for the first two years of his new contract (until March 2026) if he leaves.

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However, by March 2027, the buyout amounts to $10 million, and in March 2028, it reduces to $4 million. Along with Oats, the UA board also agreed on extended contracts for two assistant coaches for Alabama, Ryan Pannone ($360,000 through April 30, 2026) and Preston Murphy ($450,000 through April 30, 2026). He currently holds the w/l record to 117-53 with a win percentage of  68.9.

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