"Shoot, yeah!”: Alabama AD Greg Byrne reveals Nate Oats' pumped up reaction to contract extension after successful campaign in 2024

In the latest episode of “The Next Round” podcast, Greg Byrne, the athletic director at the University of Alabama, discussed Nate Oats' energetic reaction to a contract extension before Final Four qualification.

Oats has been improving the program since he joined and even led the Alabama Crimson Tide to their first Final Four in program history this season.

Just days before qualifying for the Final Four, Alabama gave Oats a new deal with a $5 million salary in the first year, which Byrne explained on the podcast.

When asked about the school giving Oats a "Final Four contract," Byrne humorously responded:

“Well, certainly nobody's ever accused me of being a prophet, but we believe in Nate. We believe in the job that he's done… the way he has developed our program, young men want to play for him. Kids have a real affinity for him as their coach.”

However, Byrne also wanted Oats to be the coach for the rest of his career, and they made sure he was committed to the University of Alabama.

“But the thing I love so much about him is I said, ‘Nate, if we're going to invest in you at this level, I want you to make that same commitment back to us," Byrne said.

"Our fan base wants to know that you are just as committed to the University of Alabama as we are to you. And he's like, ‘Shoot, yeah!'"

Nate Oats’ Alabama's historic Final Four journey halted by UConn

Nate Oats led the Crimson Tide to their first Final Four appearance, but they lost to unbeaten UConn in the NCAA tournament. Following the game, Oats said there were initial concerns about the program due to the university's football reputation.

“A lot of people said it was a football school. There’s a large contingent of basketball fans. No reason you can’t be both. I’m glad that I was a small part of bringing the Alabama fan base some joy through the basketball team and making the Final Four,” he said.

Head coach Nate Oats of the Alabama Crimson Tide meets with Mark Sears.

Alabama had previously made it to the Sweet 16 twice before this year's successful run in the tournament. In the Final Four game against UConn, Alabama trailed by only four points at halftime but ultimately lost 86-72.