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Nate Oats Delivers on Major Promise to Former NFL Coach Jon Gruden

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Brendan Howe | Last updated Jun 2, 2025 1:06 PM ET

Nate Oats has got a supporter in former NFL head coach Jon Gruden. The Alabama Crimson Tide men's basketball coach met Gruden recently and gifted him a box that the latter unpacked on Friday on X.

"Ohhhh man... ROLL TIDE ROLL!" Gruden wrote with the post. "I met Nate Oats down in Fairhope, Alabama and he promised me a box from the Crimson Tide BASKETBALL team. Boy did he deliver! Thank you Coach and @AlabamaMBB for all this gear! I can't wait to watch you back in the Final Four soon."

Oats has led Alabama to the Final Four each of the past two seasons. The Crimson Tide have made the Sweet 16 in four of the past five campaigns.

Oats bumped into Gruden, the former Las Vegas Raiders coach, at a golf event.

"Nate, coach, man, good to see you. How are you?" Gruden said to Oats at that event. "I'm a big fan of yours. Best-looking. My wife thinks you're the best-looking coach in sports."

Gruden pointed out to Oats that he hadn't received clothing merchandise from Alabama yet. As he began opening the package with a box-cutter, Gruden showered praise on the Crimson Tide.

"I mean, they won the SEC title in 2021, 2023," Gruden said as he fished out his gear. "This is Alabama basketball, the place where Robert "Big Bob," "Big Shot" Horry went. Remember that guy for the Houston Rockets? Just throwing daggers at people."

Gruden pulled out three t-shirts, three hats, two long-sleeved shirts, a pullover, a hoodie, a pair of shorts, a beanie, and a collared shirt.

Ohhhh man... ROLL TIDE ROLL!

I met Nate Oats down in Fairhope, Alabama and he promised me a box from the Crimson Tide BASKETBALL team. Boy did he deliver!

Thank you Coach and @AlabamaMBB for all this gear! I can't wait to watch you back in the Final Four soon!! pic.twitter.com/UlcSjENhsV
— Jon Gruden (@BarstoolGruden) May 30, 2025

Gruden also pulled a note out of the box.

"'Coach Gruden, it was great meeting you at the Senior Bowl function," Gruden read. "Here's some Alabama gear for you. Make sure you rep the Tide down there in Tampa, and I look forward to catching up with you.' From Nate Oats.

"Nate Oats, you're the best-dressed coach. You're one of the coolest coaches, and not only that. Technically, you are one hell of a coach. Roll Tide, baby!"

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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