After maybe the best season in the history of the Alabama Crimson Tide basketball program, Nate Oats is back on the recruiting trail, but this time it’s for assistant coaches.
Oats and the Crimson Tide are in unprecedented waters after losing all three assistants from the 2022-2023 team to head coaching positions elsewhere. Charlie Henry departed for Georgia Southern, Bryan Hodgson to Arkansas State and Antoine Pettway to Kennesaw State. Oats’ staff was a key part of the Tide’s success this year, especially recruiting, and they will be greatly missed.
Fortunately, Oats is already on the move and making new hires to fill the three positions. Alabama is expected to add Nicholls State head coach, Austin Claunch, to the staff as an assistant. Claunch has been incredibly successful at only 33 years old, going 51-17 in conference play over the past four years with two league titles.
Joining the Tide is a very attractive position for all coaches after seeing them churn out three head coaches in one offseason. Oats will have some major changes to make to the roster, but he needs to get some help with the coaching staff first.
Alabama is expected to hire Nicholls State head coach Austin Claunch as an assistant coach, source tells @SINow.
Claunch, 33, won two league titles in five years at Nicholls, one of the toughest jobs in the nation. 51-17 in league play last four years. Strong hire for Nate Oats.
— Kevin Sweeney (@CBB_Central) April 8, 2023
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