TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Alabama men's basketball head coach Nate Oats has been named a finalist for the 2021 Werner Ladder Naismith Men's Coach of the Year and the United States Basketball Writers Association Henry Iba Coach of the Year Award, both organizations announced Wednesday.
Oats is one of four coaches from across the nation to be recognized on each list, joining Scott Drew (Baylor), Mark Few (Gonzaga) and Juwan Howard (Michigan).
- After finishing last season with a 16-15 record and 8-10 mark in SEC play, Oats has guided Alabama to a 24-6 overall record in 2020-21 and a 16-2 mark in Southeastern Conference play in his second season at The Capstone
- The Tide clinched the program's first regular season title in 19 years, since earning the 2002 regular season crown, and
- Following the regular season, Oats led the Crimson Tide to a SEC Tournament championship title, the first time its occurred in 30 years.
- The 16 league wins tied for the most in program history, matching the 1986-87 team which also finished SEC play at 16-2
- Alabama enters the NCAA Tournament currently ranked No. 5 in the latest Associated Press Top 25, which is its highest ranking in the AP Poll in the month of March since 2002, and No. 5 in the USA Today Coaches Poll
- Alabama earned the No. 2 seed in the East Region of the 2021 NCAA Tournament. which matches the highest seed in program history (2002 and 1987)
- Alabama's 10-game winning streak earlier in the year was the longest 25 years dating back to the 1996-97 campaign, and their 16 league wins is tied for the most in program history (1986-87).
- He has an overall record of 36-21 (.632) across his two years at the Capstone and a 23-12 (.657) mark against SEC competition
