Alabama AD: Nate Oats has signed new contract extension

Alabama coach Nate Oats has signed a contract extension with the school, athletic director Greg Byrne said Friday.

Byrne didn't divulge terms of the deal, which still must be approved by the school's Board of Trustees.

"Nate Oats has signed a new contract that will go before the Board of Trustees for approval next week," Byrne said on social media. "We are excited about the success of our men's basketball program and Nate's continued commitment to the University. We look forward to him leading our men's basketball program for many years to come."

According to published reports, Oats will become one of the top five highest-paid coaches in the nation with this new deal.

Oats previously signed an extension in February 2023 that runs through 2029. He was slated to earn $4.53 million this season, which ranks 10th nationally, according to the USA Today coaching salaries database. It stands fourth in the Southeastern Conference behind Kentucky's John Calipari ($8.5 million), Auburn's Bruce Pearl ($5.71 million) and Tennessee's Rick Barnes ($5.7 million).

Oats, 49, is in his fifth season with the Crimson Tide and has a 113-52 record entering Friday night's game against Florida in the SEC tournament quarterfinals. Alabama is 21-10 this season.

The Crimson Tide were the No. 1 overall seed for the 2023 NCAA Tournament but were sent home in the Sweet 16 by eventual runner-up San Diego State.

Counting a four-year stint at Buffalo, Oats has a 209-95 career mark in nine seasons as a head coach. He has reached the NCAA Tournament six times -- three at Buffalo and three at Alabama.