Alabama men's basketball coach Nate Oats announced his commitment to his current job after being reported as a top potential candidate for the Kentucky Wildcats' vacant head coaching position.
"Bama Nation, I am fully committed to this team and to this University," Oats wrote in an official statement shared on his X account Monday (April 8) night. "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. Despite any rumors to the contrary, rest assured that I will continue that pursuit as your head coach"
Oats is just days removed from leading Alabama to its first Final Four appearance in program history, having led the Tide to back-to-back Sweet Sixteen appearances, three in the past four seasons and two SEC regular season and SEC Tournament titles in 2021 and 2023. Kentucky's sudden coaching vacancy comes hours after reports that head coach John Calipari was "finalizing" a deal to become the next head coach at Arkansas, which is now being reported to be "in the final stages," ESPN's Pete Thamel
"Sources tell ESPN that the deal between John Calipari and Arkansas is in the final stages before completion. The formal announcement is expected on Tuesday, as we reported earlier tonight on @CollegeGameDay," Thamel wrote on his X account.
Calipari's deal with Arkansas is reportedly expected to include a total salary just under his current $8.5 million salary at Kentucky, however, have many incentives to exceed that number, sources confirmed to ESPN. The agreement, which is reportedly expected to be finalized within the next 24 hours of Thamel's initial report, was made possible by Calipari's long-standing ties to longtime Arkansas benefactor John H. Tyson.