UNC Basketball: 12 candidates to succeed Roy Williams as head coach

Nate Oats

We’ve seen a few great candidates with Carolina connections and a few without them. We’ve seen how some of these coaches have built success quickly at different schools. We’ll now turn our attention towards someone who remains one of the hottest names in coaching circles, especially after the success his program achieved this past season.

Oats is a Wisconsin native who rose to attention with Buffalo. After serving on Bobby Hurley’s staff there, he led the Bulls himself for four seasons, including to a pair of NCAA Tournament wins. Hired by Alabama just two seasons ago, he’s already transformed the Crimson Tide into a national contender, winning the SEC title this past season and advancing to the Sweet Sixteen.

With no connection to North Carolina or the area, it’s a wonder if Oats would be the best fit for the Tar Heels. At Alabama, he’s really shown an ability to throw and hold a roster together, and he had no previous experience in or around Alabama. Geographical limitations aside, he’s a fantastic coach who’s already accomplished a lot in his six years leading collegiate programs, but would he really leave a rebuilt Alabama program after just two seasons?