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Nate Oats resigned from his position as a men's basketball coach at UB, accepting a coaching position in Alabama, school announced Wednesday.
Oats and UB accepted a contract extension about two weeks ago. Oats did not answer a newspaper call after the announcement of his departure.
UB issued a statement Wednesday afternoon on the resignation of Oats:
"I want to thank the UB administration for helping us make Buffalo one of the largest programs in the country among the major medium-sized programs," Oats said. "The support we received from the West New York community during the good and bad times was simply amazing. Thanks to this community, Buffalo and his family feel at home in the last six years. "
Oats' resignation and his move to Alabama comes three days after the end of the UB season in the second round of the NCAA tournament.
UB sided against Texas Tech, 78-58, during an NCAA tournament match Sunday at the BOK Center in Tulsa, Okla.
In four seasons as head coach at UB, Oats led the Bulls to three US Conference tournament championships and three NCAA tournaments. Oats was 96-43 as head coach of the Bulls.
Oats' departure also comes after the signing of a contract extension that made him the highest paid male basketball coach at the MAC and who would have kept him at UB until the end of the contract. March 31, 2024. Oats was expected to earn a base salary of $ 837,000 a year. including $ 225,000 raised through gifts for the men's basketball program.
"That's what it does for me," Oats said on March 14 in Cleveland, about the extension. "I can focus on training games. I do not have to worry about the rest of things. I say to Rick: "Just tell everyone, no thanks, unless it's something unreal." Let's just focus on this season, let's focus on further recruitment for next year. . "
In 2018, Oats was ranked fourth among the highest paid employees in the New York State University system, according to the state payroll data collected by See Through NY.
Under the terms of the Oats contract, its current buyback will be $ 750,000.
"I wish Nate the best and we are grateful for all he has done to improve our men's basketball program," said UB Sports Director Mark Alnutt in a statement. "An opportunity like this changes the life of Nate and his family.
"Thanks to the success of Nate and the team, the Buffalo coaching position will be extremely attractive and a national search is already underway and will be conducted as quickly and as thoroughly as possible. Nate and his family. "
The UB Sports Department said in a statement that Jim Whitesell, Oats' staff assistant, would be acting head coach of the Bulls when looking for a replacement for Oats.
Oats replaces Avery Johnson, whose departure was announced Sunday. He was 75-62 in four seasons at school, including 18-16 this season.
"I've been watching coach Oats for a few years while he was heading the University of Buffalo to unprecedented heights," said Alabama Sports Director Greg Byrne in a statement. a press release issued Wednesday afternoon. off the field, that's what really worked. While we were talking to some of the best academic and pro basketball minds in the country, his name has been mentioned many times. Oats coach will make his first steps tonight and hope that he will have a long and successful career within the Alabama Crimson Tide. "
"Coach Oats has an impressive past," said University of Alabama president Dr. Stuart Bell in a press release. "It's exactly what we were looking for in this research.I am excited about the future of Alabama basketball and I know our fans are too."
Last August, Oats and his wife paid $ 999,900 this week to purchase a six-bedroom Tudor-style waterfront home on the Gold Coast of Grand Island on the Niagara River facing Canada. Take a look at the inside of the house that he has described as being their "dream home".
This is a story in development. Please check again for updates.
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