There’s always been a knock on playing or coaching basketball at a football school.
Whether it was a lack of fan interest or commitment from the athletic department, the thought was always to hit the hardwood at a school that makes the sport a priority.
Nate Oats is here to tell you that coaching at a football school, like Alabama, is actually more advantageous than ever. The reason is simple: Resources.
Oats, who led the Crimson Tide to the program’s first Final Four last season, joined former Alabama basketball coach Mark Gottfried on “The Front Row” podcast.
“I’ve sold to these guys that we have the resources here to win at the highest level,” Oats explained. “If you understand college athletics, it’s actually a positive to be a football school because some of these schools that aren’t football schools are going to struggle financially moving forward with what’s going on.”
In the world of NIL, conference re-alignment and revamped TV contracts, money is flowing in the direction of major college football.
“Maybe our gym isn’t packed every day like some of those blue bloods, but it is now that we are winning. You had to sell a vision back then. Now, you see it. We’re better off being at Alabama than you are at some traditional basketball powerhouse that doesn’t necessarily have the financial backing that we have here at Alabama because football is such a big deal.”
Oats’ point is simple. More money means better facilities, better traveling experiences, improved nutrition. In short: Better resources.
“For a lot of different reasons, it’s great to be at a school that has a great football tradition,” Oats said.
Mark Heim is a reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim. He can be heard on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5 FM in Mobile or on the free Sound of Mobile App from 6 to 9 a.m. daily.