Greg Byrne: Extend Coach Nate Oats Now and Offer Alabama Basketball an Arena ASAP



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It seems like every year we make this case: build in Alabama a basketball facility that is worthy of one of the richest varsity track programs in the country. This year, by the way, I’m doing the less than two-week plea pulled from the University of Alabama raising $ 4.2 million after playing for a national title, in addition to the core SEC cast which start to $ 66 million to share among its members … and that’s just the playoff revenue.

And a discussion of money is important, because this question boils down to two things, and two things only: 1. Money, and 2. The administrative willingness to collect and spend it fairly.

You know the arguments as well as I do now, but some are worth repeating.

  • The Coleman Coliseum was built in 1968, more as a regional civic complex than strictly as a basketball facility. This 52-year-old structure has since hosted concerts, conferences, diplomas, rallies and, yes, basketball games. But its age shows it, not only in the ruthless hangar architecture, but also in its capacity. Coleman can accommodate 15,383 people. This is not a viable number for attendance. Almost all of the schools that have built new facilities in the past decade have built for a smaller capacity.
  • This smaller capacity is important, as a few thousand empty seats might not be a big deal in a megalithic place like Lucas Field or Rupp Arena, but the sneaker squeak is very noticeable when around 11,000 are present for a Vanderbilt sidewalk. And in women’s hoops, it’s just laughable to see participation in the space available at Coleman.
  • A smaller room offers a more intimate and intimidating environment. And a newer one – instead of just applying another coat of paint to a half-century-old arena – provides modern ventilation and air conditioning. It’s more accessible. This allows Alabama to have new locker rooms and world-class strength training. It enhances the gruesome sightlines Coleman “offers” to clients. It dramatically amplifies the volume.
  • A fresh start allows Alabama to prioritize students in dedicated premium seats, preferably above the visitors’ bench and / or behind the lenses. They make the game strong and energetic. And, indeed, the students are not only the ones in the field, but they are the purpose for the existence of the university, for the sport we watch, for the explosive geographic and financial growth of Tuscaloosa over the past decade, and for the continued employment of so many people in Tuscaloosa – including coaches and administrators. Students are not just walking wallets with a vacuum cleaner attached and the AU siphons whatever they want, without thinking afterward about their convenience; they are our future peers, our future alumni and – rightly so – your future donors. When we view our 38,103 students as an investment in the future financial health of the athletics department and our community, it’s just common sense and good pay. Professionals cultivate future contacts for sales and donations every day – and there are 38,103 available to you, provided we value their presence. Students don’t suddenly start to matter the day after they graduate and be struck by the Alumni Association. They are counting now. And in a sport where the pitch is often decisive, they have a direct impact on producing a consistent winner.

NCAA Basketball: State of Louisiana in Alabama

It is their university, their sport and their campus.
Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports

Over the past half decade, I have probably typed 10,000 words on this topic. I won’t go over them again in all. You know as well as I do that basketball has never been a priority in Alabama, in part because the University never made one. Aging facilities, outdated concessions, a dark and hostile interior courtyard, lack of promotion, students as props and so many other reasons took this into account.

But now, not only are stocks finally tilting in favor of massive reconstruction, the long-term health of the program may depend on it. The first thing that happened when Avery Johnson arrived on campus was that he was sold an invoice for the Coleman Coliseum – an invoice that was never filled out. Anthony Grant also criticized the administration on this matter. And, when Nate Oats was brought to Tuscaloosa, he was Althus given assurances about the fate of this arena. It would behoove us to keep our promises as soon as possible – and maybe even drastically rethink the plans for the facility.

Coach Oats came to campus and said he saw absolutely no reason why Alabama couldn’t be just a winner, but a national power. In less than two short years, he took a roster of Franken de Jucos, Johnson players, freshmen and transfers and made them America’s hottest team. His name is also the hottest in the coaching arena, with many traditional unfortunate basketball powers already watching him. Alabama will soon approach a watershed; an area where it is in our sole power to determine whether we want national relevance – even domination – in a given sport in the short term by so many administrations for so many years. Or, if we decide that we want to lose this coach to a program willing to invest in him, the facilities and the program.

When you build it, they will come – students and fans alike flock to the games. They have shown it time and time again. But it’s also a recruiting-driven sport and a facility-based arms race – and, I won’t remind you, the University of Alabama largely started this arms race with its football facilities. . “ It would be the bitterest irony to be outscored in a game Alabama helped create and lose one of the best young basketball coaches of this generation just because we’re good. market or that we decide “we’ll get there when we get there.” The college and its fans collectively need to ensure that the Crimson Tide can take over for very few in these regards.

It means opening the wallet.

Alabama hasn’t been a magical transformation, and the Crimson Tide doesn’t win with smoke and mirrors either – Alabama is devouring the SEC because Coach Oats is building a culture of victory, a culture in which players buy in and work hard to achieve reality. As a university community, we cannot do less.

“Why not us” is the common refrain. And it’s a good question with one sensible answer and a simple solution. he can be us if we are working to do it.

So put on the helmet, put on that blue collar mentality and get to work – it will be tough, no doubt. But give Nate Oats an arena and a very fat, long-term extension. Speak to the legal department today. Coach Oats has already deserved.

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