Alabama head basketball coach Nate Oats, 51, married former staffer Alex Accetta, 31, last weekend in a ceremony attended by Crimson Tide coaches and athletic director Greg Byrne. Accetta previously served as the team’s director of operations before departing for a role with the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks.
Oats announced his engagement to Accetta in April. The wedding follows Oats' divorce from his ex-wife, Crystal Oats, which was finalized in 2023. The couple was married in 1997 and had three children together. Crystal Oats was diagnosed with lymphoma in 2015 and has since entered remission.
Oats has led the Alabama basketball program to six consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances over his seven seasons, accumulating a record of 170-73. His 13 tournament wins are the most in program history.
In 2026, Oats faced criticism regarding the eligibility of player Charles Bediako. Bediako played five games for the Crimson Tide before a temporary restraining order expired, and his appeal to continue playing was rejected by a judge. The circumstances of his wedding and his ex-wife's past health battle have drawn varied reactions online, with some criticizing Oats and others defending him given Accetta's departure from the university staff.