Alabama's Nate Oats responds to Houston basketball HC Kelvin Sampson's Lake Life challenge amid 4th of July celebrations
After staying loyal to the Alabama Crimson Tide at the end of the 2023-24 season, coach Nate Oats has had a busy offseason. He has been filling up his staff with coaches from the NBA, with the latest being Detroit Pistons assistant coach Brian Adams.
On the Fourth of July, the charismatic Alabama coach shared a lively response on X to the "Lake Life challenge" thrown down by Houston Cougars coach Kelvin Sampson, who also challenged Auburn Tigers coach Bruce Pearl and Toledo Rockets coach Tod Kowalczyk.
"#LakeLifeChallenge Your move @nate_oats @Coach_Kowalczyk @coachbrucepearl," Sampson wrote.
Nate Oats responded by posting a clip of himself surfboarding on a lake with the caption:
"Love it @CoachSampsonUH! Lake days are the best. Happy 4th of July."
Nate Oats stays loyal to Alabama
Alabama coach Nate Oats has built a cult following in Tuscaloosa for the way he has reinvigorated the Crimson Tide's basketball team, which has perpetually been in the shadow of the football team under retired coach Nick Saban.
After his team's heroics during the 2023-2024 season, Nate Oats was repeatedly linked to the much-coveted Kentucky Wildcats job, which was vacant due to the surprising departure of long-time coach John Calipari.
Oats rubbished the rumors linking him to the job in a passionate post on X reaffirming his commitment to the Crimson Tide.
“We have already accomplished some great things here, and there is nothing I want more than for The University of Alabama to win its first national championship in men’s basketball,” Oats wrote. “Despite any rumors to the contrary, rest assured that I will continue that pursuit as your head coach.”
Oats has led Alabama to four March Madness appearances, and last season, he managed a spot in the Final Four, which was the program's first appearance at that stage in its history. Before he arrived in Tuscaloosa, Alabama had not gone past the first round of the NCAA Tournament in 20 years.
He has managed a 117-54 record in his Tide career, including two Southeastern Conference regular season championship wins in 2021 and 2023.
Afterward, the Crimson Tide's athletic director, Greg Byrne, released a statement praising Oats' leadership of the team.
“We are excited about the success of our men’s basketball program and Nate’s continued commitment to the university,” Byrne said. “We look forward to him leading our men’s basketball program for many years to come.”
Nate Oats signed a new long-term deal a few weeks ago, which catapulted him to the top five of the most highly-paid men's college basketball coaches, according to ESPN, showing the Crimson Tide's faith in him.