The list of potential head coaches for the North Carolina Tar Heels keeps growing shorter.
Alabama Crimson Tide HC Nate Oats
had been linked to the job vacancy after the Tar Heels fired Hubert Davis, but those rumors should now end. On Sunday, Alabama athletic director Greg Byrne confirmed that the coach has signed a new deal that will place him among the top five highest-paid coaches in the country.
Per ESPN’s Jeff Borzello, Oats’ new deal runs through the 2031-32 season, but his salary remains unspecified. The coach last received an extension in 2024.
What did Nate Oats say about the North Carolina job?
Oats seemed flattered when his name popped up in North Carolina rumors, but he made it clear he wanted to stay with Alabama.
Of course, North Carolina — which has won six national championships — has much more basketball tradition than Alabama, better known for football. Oats, however, has turned the Crimson Tide into one of the top programs in the country.
In seven seasons with Alabama, Oats has made six NCAA Tournaments and one Final Four. This past season, the Crimson Tide went 25-10 and reached the Sweet 16. Staying in Tuscaloosa allows the coach to keep building on a strong foundation.
Who should North Carolina target next?
The Tar Heels are running out of options. Arizona Wildcats HC Tommy Lloyd had also been connected to the job, but he signed a five-year extension before the Final Four.
North Carolina could pursue Michigan Wolverines HC Dusty May, who faces the Connecticut Huskies in the national championship on Monday night (8:50 p.m. ET, truTV/TBS/HBO Max). There are plenty of reasons to believe his team will be victorious.
North Carolina’s potential attempts to lure May away from Michigan will likely fail. The Big Ten school is reportedly prepared to “do anything” to keep the coach in Ann Arbor.
After that, North Carolina’s options become much less appealing. Its next best target could be Chicago Bulls HC Billy Donovan, who won two national championships with the Florida Gators but has a 224-253 record in six seasons in the Windy City.
North Carolina must find a coach soon. It keeps running out of quality choices, with Oats and others staying put at their respective schools.