Oats' Future Uncertain as UNC Eyes Coach

0:00On March 26th, Nate Oates, the head coach at Alabama, keeps popping up in talks for North Carolina's open men's basketball job. The tar heels fired Hubert Davis this week, after a first round NCAA tournament upset lost to VCU. Davis posted a strong 125 wins over five seasons but fell short in recent years. Oates has turned Alabama into a consistent contender, guiding them to the sweet 16 four times in six straight NCAA tournament appearances. Oates sees him mark the program's first ever final four run and they're back in the sweet 16 now. Coaching circles buzz with speculation since North Carolina is a blue blood program, but Oates signed a lucrative extension with Alabama last March. He's under contract through 2031, earning $5.5 million this year with raises built in. Oates brushes off the rumors, stressing his commitment to Alabama where his family has put down roots. He started coaching on a shoestring budget years ago and now jokes about feeling overpaid

1:00for what he loves. Alabama's Deep Returnum in runs under Oates, who dreams of delivering the school's first national championship while the North Carolina search heats up.