Nate Oats Makes Coaching Move After Alabama’s NCAA Tournament Run

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Rodney Knuppel | Last updated May 21, 2025 2:24 PM ET

Nate Oats and the Alabama Crimson Tide men's basketball team appear to be on the verge of breaking through in a major way. Alabama has now reached the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 in three straight seasons, including a trip to the Final Four in 2024 and a return to the Elite Eight last season.

While Oats is busy this offseason reloading talent to replace key departures — whether through the transfer portal or the recruiting trail — he's also focused on upgrading his coaching staff.

Nick Kelly of AL.com, who covers all things Alabama, recently shared an update about a staff change for the 2025-26 season:

"Alabama men's basketball has hired Chris Fleming to replace Ryan Pannone, @yea_ala announced today."

Alabama men's basketball has hired Chris Fleming to replace Ryan Pannone, @yea_ala announced today.

Fleming has spent the past decade as an NBA assistant, most recently with the Trailblazers https://t.co/GzsVpGN2HB
— Nick Kelly (@_NickKelly) May 21, 2025

Kelly also provided some background on the new assistant coach:

"Fleming has spent the past decade as an NBA assistant, most recently with the Trailblazers."

The 55-year-old spent just one season in Portland following assistant stints with the Denver Nuggets, Brooklyn Nets and Chicago Bulls. During his final season with the Bulls, he stepped in as acting head coach while Billy Donovan was in the NBA's COVID-19 protocols and led the team to a 5-0 record.

Before his time in the NBA, Fleming had a successful career both playing and coaching in Germany. While overseas, he won the German Cup four times and was a four-time Bundesliga champion. In 2011, he was named Bundesliga Coach of the Year.

Fleming takes over the position vacated by Pannone, who served as an Alabama assistant from 2023 to 2025. Following Alabama's exit from the NCAA Tournament on March 30, Pannone was named the new head coach of the Arkansas State Red Wolves.

Nate Oats has been at the helm of Alabama basketball for six seasons. During his time in Tuscaloosa, he has compiled a record of 145-63, including a 75-33 mark in SEC play. Before joining Alabama, he coached for the Buffalo Bulls in the Mid-American Conference, where he posted a 96-43 record over four seasons.

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

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