UConn Huskies head coach Dan Hurley is one win away from making it back to the National Championship Game. Standing in his way is Nate Oats, head coach of the Alabam Crimson Tide.
On Friday night, Alabama and UConn square off in the Final Four at State Farm Stadium in Phoenix, Arizona. The matchup is made more meaningful by the history the two coaches have with one another.
UConn Huskies Head Coach Dan Hurley On Final Four Matchup Against Nate Oats
Oats has long credited Dan’s brother Bobby Hurley for giving him his major break in college basketball. Oats had been a winning high school coach in Michigan and was eventually hired by Bobby to be a college hoops assistant coach at Buffalo. While working under Bobby, Oats had also developed a relationship with Dan.
During his Thursday press conference, Dan Hurley spoke candidly about facing off against Oats in such a big spot. The UConn Huskies coach said that perhaps in an earlier round, he would prefer not to face off against someone he cares about.
But given the stakes involved as one of the last four teams standing, Hurley instead relishes the opportunity — but still hopes the UConn Huskies come out on top.
“This one, I think I’m excited to compete against a friend in such a big spot,” said Hurley, via BamaOnLine’s Charlie Potter. “This is like the Final Four. I think it kind of changes it a little bit for me because we’ve both done something incredible with the season. Somebody that I really care about is going to play for a national championship – preferably me. I also care about Nate, too, to a much lesser degree.”
Nate Oats Is Nothing But Grateful Toward The Hurley Family
Oats has always been vocal about crediting Bobby Hurley and his family for giving the Alabama Crimson Tide coach his start in the college ranks.
After Alabama’s Elite Eight victory over Clemson last week, Oats opened up about his long journey to the Final Four, which once upon a time included sleeping on hotel floors and bunking with friends at past host cities.
Nate Oats said he's done "a lot of reminiscing over the last week" about coaching in the Final Four and his journey here from his start as an assistant on Bobby Hurley's Buffalo staff.
"Bobby is the one that got me in this business. If it wasn't for Danny and Bobby, I wouldn't… pic.twitter.com/Hr4KdEmL9O
— Blake Niemann (@Blakes_Take2) April 4, 2024
The full-circle moment is not lost on both Dan Hurley and Nate Oats. Perhaps the only scenario bigger would have been facing off in the title game itself. But at least after their Final Four face-off, one can root for the other during the championship game.