Bama plays loose for Oats

senonesy

All-American
Nov 30, 2017
4,191
8,579
113
Nate oats lost 58 games in his first 5 seasons as a college basketball coach with 4 seasons at Buffalo and last year at bama. Cal lost 57 games his first five seasons all at UMASS. The cal worship on this board to the point you are disparaging a coach in his 6th college season at his 2nd stop and tearing up and leading the SEC is disgusting,
So you would have wanted Cal after his first five seasons at UMASS? I think not. The Oats worship on this board is what is comical.
 

Cats_2010

Heisman
Jan 8, 2010
11,908
20,362
103
So you would have wanted Cal after his first five seasons at UMASS? I think not. The Oats worship on this board is what is comical.

That sound you hear whizzing by your head was the point of my post. The first 5 seasons doesn’t make or break a college basketball coach. You worship cal yet his career started off very similar to oats who you have disparaged nonstop on this thread. I have seen very few worship oats rather giving him credit for having bama playing the way they are, which you seem to take issue with.
 
  • Like
Reactions: EliteBlue

gwjenning

All-American
Mar 6, 2017
3,735
7,670
0
Yeah, let’s fire Cal and hire a guy who a few weeks ago got smoked by Stanford and lost to WKU and has won only two NCAA tourney games ever. Oh yeah, he also took over a Bama team built by someone else and didn’t recruit any of theses guys.

yeah, awesome....let’s do it!!!!
Oats is only in his 2nd season at Alabama with a team he didn’t have the luxury to put together and is currently running away with the SEC while destroying other teams. Thumping TN, UK, and LSU all on the road. Early season losses shouldn’t matter if you’re a Cal supporter right?
We lost to Evansville last season and Richmond this season and Cal is in his 13th year. And Cal got to build his team. We are off to the worst start for UK basketball in 100 years.
Top recruits have figured out you can go anywhere and still make it to the NBA. You think they would rather come here and play plowhorse basketball or Bama and run and gun?
Oats is going to start handing it to Cal like Barnes and Pearl already have been. We just keep slipping!
 
Last edited:

Atrain7732

All-American
Dec 11, 2009
3,805
7,103
65
We‘re going to finish below .500 this year. What’s your point?

So, we are only judging based on this season? Oats barely over .500 season last year isn't valid, but Cal's this year is?

I like Oats and think he is an up and coming coach, but he has done NOTHING to make himself a candidate for the UK job. Half this board wants to hire any coach that beats UK this season--Pearl, Oats, etc.

I think that is silly and anyone from an outside perspective would agree I imagine.

You want me to post Cal's record at UK again and compare to Oats?

Spare me the straw man I have seen on this thread many times already that if I think Oats isnt qualified to replace Cal that I am happy with Cal's offense and this dumpster fire of a season. Believe it or not, you can be frustrated with Cal and still want to give him time ti turn things around while simultaneously not want him replaced with a coach who has done nothing in his career to this point to land a job like UK. If Oats makes a FF this year, maybe. I prefer to wait and see how it shakes out.
 

gwjenning

All-American
Mar 6, 2017
3,735
7,670
0
So, we are only judging based on this season? Oats barely over .500 season last year isn't valid, but Cal's this year is?

I like Oats and think he is an up and coming coach, but he has done NOTHING to make himself a candidate for the UK job. Half this board wants to hire any coach that beats UK this season--Pearl, Oats, etc.

I think that is silly and anyone from an outside perspective would agree I imagine.

You want me to post Cal's record at UK again and compare to Oats?

Spare me the straw man I have seen on this thread many times already that if I think Oats isnt qualified to replace Cal that I am happy with Cal's offense and this dumpster fire of a season. Believe it or not, you can be frustrated with Cal and still want to give him time ti turn things around while simultaneously not want him replaced with a coach who has done nothing in his career to this point to land a job like UK. If Oats makes a FF this year, maybe. I prefer to wait and see how it shakes out.
I don’t want Barnes, Pearl, or Self. All three have been slapping Cal around lately!
I‘ve been watching basketball a long time and can see there’s something special in Oats coaching style. He has Bama tearing through the SEC and putting beat downs on teams worse than Cal did with the 2010, 2012, and 2015 teams.
Cal is too stubborn to change and the game has passed him by.
A big time school will land Oats soon and I’ll be glad because Cal will be a whipping boy for him as long as he’s at Bama! Oats offense is the type that’s a nightmare for a Cal coached team to guard.
 

senonesy

All-American
Nov 30, 2017
4,191
8,579
113
3 Cal slurpers have hit this thread hard. I wonder if they plan this at family reunions.
I’m one of the 3. Not a Cal slurper and he has disappointed THIS year. My point is more the tendency of this board to go crazy over coaches that have had very little success and act like they are the savior for the UK program. And especially in Oats case when all Alabama does is jack 3’s. That isn’t a recipe for success in the tournament. People aren’t looking at the big picture. They just like the flavor of the month.
 
  • Like
Reactions: SDcatfan13

Cawood86_rivals

Heisman
Feb 20, 2005
36,711
64,715
0
Oates is 123-61 and 2-3 in the NCAA tournament, but he would be the the savior of UK basketball! Lol (not that UK needs saving) He was pretty good as a high school coach though!
He's only been a head coach in college for 6-7 years and 4-5 of those was at Buffalo. He's also 15-16 years younger than Cal.
 
  • Like
Reactions: EliteBlue

Cawood86_rivals

Heisman
Feb 20, 2005
36,711
64,715
0
I’m one of the 3. Not a Cal slurper and he has disappointed THIS year. My point is more the tendency of this board to go crazy over coaches that have had very little success and act like they are the savior for the UK program. And especially in Oats case when all Alabama does is jack 3’s. That isn’t a recipe for success in the tournament. People aren’t looking at the big picture. They just like the flavor of the month.
He has disappointed more than this year. If you think all Bama does is jack 3's you aren't watching. Their offense is a lot like Pitino's was at UK.
Cal is about to be 62. He's said more bizarre things this year than I can remember. He's playing a kid that has yet to merit the minutes he gets. He's cried a about a schedule that was as soft as charmin.
 
  • Like
Reactions: EliteBlue

Woodrow24

Heisman
Dec 21, 2015
6,536
15,792
78
It’s not that desired of a job as one might think
I don’t think you realize how much you sound like a Louisville fan. Several coaches would love to have the chance to coach our program. With the facilities, the historical significance, the chance to have one of the biggest salaries in basketball, the recruiting budget, etc. It’s a high pressure job, but it’s a great job.
 

ManitouDan_anon

Heisman
Dec 7, 2006
20,073
32,434
0
One thing I’ve noticed on here frequently l when a poster is getting owned they throw out the “ you are a straw man “ weak sauce ******** .
also saying Oates is doing a good job and is obviously a hot coach doesn’t mean anyone worships him or slurps him. Grow the hell up .
 
  • Like
Reactions: EliteBlue

RoyKent

Heisman
Feb 3, 2015
23,027
33,355
66
He's only been a head coach in college for 6-7 years and 4-5 of those was at Buffalo. He's also 15-16 years younger than Cal.

You want Cal gone/fired/replaced immediately, you have made that clear.

You would really, truly be in favor (let's say you are in charge) of firing Cal today and hiring Nate Oates tomorrow?

You'd sign off on that deal?
 

Mike-D

Heisman
Jul 14, 2001
50,451
75,649
113
Need a balance, don't need to shoot 30 3's a game. We still don't shoot enough, and we still shoot long 2's. I'd be happy with 15-20 3's from the right shooters.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Atrain7732

RoyKent

Heisman
Feb 3, 2015
23,027
33,355
66
One thing I’ve noticed on here frequently l when a poster is getting owned they throw out the “ you are a straw man “ weak sauce ******** .
also saying Oates is doing a good job and is obviously a hot coach doesn’t mean anyone worships him or slurps him. Grow the hell up .

There are plenty of people sucking on Nate Oates' teats around here lately. If you don't see that you aren't paying attention.
 
  • Like
Reactions: senonesy

ManitouDan_anon

Heisman
Dec 7, 2006
20,073
32,434
0
There are plenty of people sucking on Nate Oates' teats around here lately. If you don't see that you aren't paying attention.

does he not deserve some high praise ? It’s a message board , people talk about the good n bad . Why get so worked up ? so Damn insecure about your guy .
 
  • Like
Reactions: EliteBlue

acp_10

Senior
Mar 27, 2009
108,067
619
0
How did Alabama lose by 18 to Stanford ? Also lost to Western Kentucky but they are pretty decent.

Bama fan here. We just weren't playing well at the start of the season. We weren't shooting well, we were missing a lot of easy layups, etc. Oats was trying to figure out which lineups to go with and all that. Charles Bassey is a beast, but that WKU game was just a big turd and had one of the most Alabama basketball endings you could imagine.



I'm still skeptical, but only because Alabama basketball has broken my heart one too many times. We always seem to collapse to end out the regular season the past decade or so, so that thought is always going to be there until proven otherwise. I hope Oats has truly broken that curse. But man, he has us playing well right now and unlike anything I've ever seen considering the margins we've been winning by. We're playing well on offense and defense. Watching this offense though and watching the Grant/Avery offenses the past decade, it's like going from a Geo Metro to a Ferrari.
 
  • Like
Reactions: EliteBlue

Atrain7732

All-American
Dec 11, 2009
3,805
7,103
65
One thing I’ve noticed on here frequently l when a poster is getting owned they throw out the “ you are a straw man “ weak sauce ******** .
also saying Oates is doing a good job and is obviously a hot coach doesn’t mean anyone worships him or slurps him. Grow the hell up .

I threw out the straw man specifically bc many on this very thread had used it. Saying you don't think Oats is qualified to be UK's coach yet does not also simultaneously absolve Cal for this dumpster fire of a season. It is taking one point and not addressing it while throwing out a completely different point that was not mentioned.

Hence, the straw man. You wanna call it something different, be my guest.

Personally, I think those who divert the point at hand replying to another post while arguing another should grow up. It is disingenuous and lazy.

FTR, I am not saying you have done this but since you referred to the straw man I am replying.
 

Atrain7732

All-American
Dec 11, 2009
3,805
7,103
65
Why trash a coach that’s obviously doing a good job this season because Cals getting criticized this year? That was his first year at Alabama. Coach Cal’s first year at Umass they had a record of 10-15. Did that make him a bad coach? Before it’s even brought up, I can agree with anyone that Oats has to have more success to have a resume good enough to coach a blue blood program.

Not trashing him at all. I posted in a later response that I really like him as a coach think he is an up and comer who does play a modern offense that is exciting. I also respected him for calling Rat Face out earlier this year.

But, he is not someone I want as UK's coach right now. I think Cal deserves a chance to turn things around next year. If he doesn't, then fair game. Also, all the heat Cal is feeling right now is fair game he has been erratic not just with coaching this year, but maybe even more imporantly, with his fan base interactions. You put yourself on an island from the fans and your on court product looks like shite don't be shocked when the heat follows.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Woodrow_Call_1998

EliteBlue

Heisman
Mar 27, 2009
16,751
20,269
0
So you would have wanted Cal after his first five seasons at UMASS? I think not. The Oats worship on this board is what is comical.
No. The point is it is about trajectory. Cal had to build UMASS the same way Oats had to build Buffalo and Alabama. Had Cal not gone to the NBA and kept UMASS where they were in 96, do you not think he would have been on the list of hot coaches right after the homerun hires when Coach RP left if RP didn't hand select Tubby(Stevens and Few in this case)?

If you take over a trainwreck it takes a few seasons to get it back on track. The fact that he has done it at 2 places now and rapidly, says its not a fluke and he has a positive future.
 
  • Like
Reactions: gwjenning

gwjenning

All-American
Mar 6, 2017
3,735
7,670
0
It’s hard, almost impossible, to win 6 games in a row in March playing that way.

Signed,
Basically every team that ever played fast and loose
They said the same thing about Pitino’s teams while he was here. We destroyed teams in the tournament.
Played uptempo all the way to the 1996 NC as well!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Cawood86_rivals

gwjenning

All-American
Mar 6, 2017
3,735
7,670
0
And Oats teams play physical and tough. Usually teams that jack a bunch of 3’s play soft. A big time bb school will land him while we’re still plowing the fields!
 

Woodrow24

Heisman
Dec 21, 2015
6,536
15,792
78
Not trashing him at all. I posted in a later response that I really like him as a coach think he is an up and comer who does play a modern offense that is exciting. I also respected him for calling Rat Face out earlier this year.

But, he is not someone I want as UK's coach right now. I think Cal deserves a chance to turn things around next year. If he doesn't, then fair game. Also, all the heat Cal is feeling right now is fair game he has been erratic not just with coaching this year, but maybe even more imporantly, with his fan base interactions. You put yourself on an island from the fans and your on court product looks like shite don't be shocked when the heat follows.
Sorry I misunderstood you. Easy to do on here sometimes. It’s been strange how Cal has handled interviews this year. It’s surprising that he has messed up so often with the media. He’s even admitted to it a few times that he could have said things better. That’s not like him at all, IMO
 
  • Like
Reactions: Atrain7732

EliteBlue

Heisman
Mar 27, 2009
16,751
20,269
0
And Oats teams play physical and tough. Usually teams that jack a bunch of 3’s play soft. A big time bb school will land him while we’re still plowing the fields!
I just hope it isn't Duke or North Carolina. At a major school with all the facilities and resources, while being ahead of the trend in CBB, he'd immediately be successful and if he landed at a blueblood in the next 5 years, he will be there for 20 years.
 
  • Like
Reactions: gwjenning

BlueVelvetFog

Heisman
Apr 12, 2016
14,547
20,169
78
I don’t think you realize how much you sound like a Louisville fan. Several coaches would love to have the chance to coach our program. With the facilities, the historical significance, the chance to have one of the biggest salaries in basketball, the recruiting budget, etc. It’s a high pressure job, but it’s a great job.
No
 

Atrain7732

All-American
Dec 11, 2009
3,805
7,103
65
Sorry I misunderstood you. Easy to do on here sometimes. It’s been strange how Cal has handled interviews this year. It’s surprising that he has messed up so often with the media. He’s even admitted to it a few times that he could have said things better. That’s not like him at all, IMO

No worries I get a little carried away on here at times prolly send mixed messages as well.

I agree Cal has behaved very strangely this year, and it cannot be all chalked up to Covid I don't think. But, i for one am hoping it has been one of those deals where the results this year may have crystallized in Cal's mind the need for him to change. We will see I suppose. Like I said, if he doesn't change up his philosophy to one extent or antoher and we are dealing with many of the same issues again next year, then fair game. I am just not off the Cal train at this point, especially for an up and comer who IMO hasn't proven himself worthy of a UK level job yet.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Woodrow_Call_1998

Woodrow24

Heisman
Dec 21, 2015
6,536
15,792
78
No worries I get a little carried away on here at times prolly send mixed messages as well.

I agree Cal has behaved very strangely this year, and it cannot be all chalked up to Covid I don't think. But, i for one am hoping it has been one of those deals where the results this year may have crystallized in Cal's mind the need for him to change. We will see I suppose. Like I said, if he doesn't change up his philosophy to one extent or antoher and we are dealing with many of the same issues again next year, then fair game. I am just not off the Cal train at this point, especially for an up and comer who IMO hasn't proven himself worthy of a UK level job yet.
Whenever we do make another hire I hope it’s someone that’s well established and has a hell of a resume. We don’t need another BCG hire.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Atrain7732
KSR

Latest

  1. 01 KSR Football From Bear Bryant to Will Stein: A history of Kentucky's coaching debuts
  2. 02 KSR KSR Happy Hour: Cheers to Football Time in the Bluegrass
  3. 03 KSR Basketball Ousmane N'Diaye drills field goal at Kroger Field to get ready for football season
  4. 04 KSR Time is running out on the KSR+ Season Kickoff Sale!
  5. 05 KSR Basketball Zoom Action: The Top 5 most interesting Kentucky players going into 2026-27