After Willard exited Maryland to accept the open head coaching position with Villanova, there were reports linking Oats to the Terrapins. However, Alabama athletic director Greg Byrne also refuted the notion that Oats was going anywhere, saying during an appearance on The Will Cain Show, "I could absolutely tell you there's no truth to that."

Despite several viral posts from parody accounts indicating that Nate Oats is interested in the Maryland job, there is reportedly no such interest.

After Kevin Willard’s messy departure to Villanova opened the Maryland head coach job, Alabama basketball’s Nate Oats was one of the rumored candidates. Oats never showed any sign of potentially departing the Crimson Tide, and none of the rumors came from reputable sources, but still, UA athletics director Greg Byrne shot them down on Monday.