Alabama Crimson Tide men's basketball head coach Nate Oats has officially started a new chapter off the court. The 51-year-old sideline general married his fiancée, Alex Accetta, in a ceremony last weekend, marking his second trip down the aisle.
Accetta, 31, previously served as Alabama basketball's director of operations before leaving in 2022 to join the NBA's Dallas Mavericks. The couple's age gap—20 years—has been a topic of quiet conversation, but the wedding itself was a celebration full of Crimson Tide royalty.
Alabama athletics director Greg Byrne was among the guests, along with a host of UA staffers. The bride's father took to Instagram with an emotional tribute, writing: “Yesterday was a very emotional day for me. It has been a privilege to be Alex's dad since the day she was born. I have absolutely loved being her daddy and her hero. Yesterday I let go of that role as she married the perfect man for her. I am overjoyed to welcome Nate to our family. There is no better feeling a dad can have to know his little girl is with the man who will make all her dreams come true!”
Oats had first revealed the engagement back in April during an appearance on SiriusXM Radio. He recalled a pivotal moment at a New York Knicks playoff game at Madison Square Garden, where he turned to Accetta—then his girlfriend—and said, “Hold on. I'm a high school coach and I got an opportunity to coach in here, and I'm gonna say no?” The story underscored his journey from prep sidelines to the bright lights of college basketball.
The marriage comes after Oats and his ex-wife, Crystal, quietly divorced in 2023. Crystal was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer in 2015 but was declared cancer-free the following year and has remained in remission.
Oats signed a six-year contract extension with Alabama in April, cementing his commitment to the program. “I am blessed and honored for the opportunity to continue as the head coach of the men's basketball program at the University of Alabama,” he said in a statement. “President Mohler, Chancellor Trant, the entire Board of Trustees and our athletics director Greg Byrne have been tremendously supportive and provided us the resources to compete for championships each and every year. We have enjoyed tremendous success during our seven years at Alabama, and we look forward to building on that for many years to come.”
The wedding news adds a personal milestone to what has already been a busy year for Oats, who continues to build a powerhouse in Tuscaloosa. While the court remains his primary focus, this moment off it has drawn plenty of attention—and well-wishes—from across the college basketball landscape.
For those keeping tabs on Alabama athletics, Oats' new marriage is just the latest headline in a program that has seen plenty of change. Meanwhile, other former Crimson Tide stars have been making moves of their own, including Levi Wallace calling it a career at 31.
