GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Nate Oats, a Final Four coach with roots in the high school ranks, initially found comfort coaching at Romulus High School outside of Detroit. Despite envisioning himself as a Division I college coach, Oats built a successful program at Romulus and was hesitant to uproot his family for a potentially short-lived college coaching job. The legendary career of Bob Hurley at St. Anthony in New Jersey further solidified Oats' contentment at Romulus, as Hurley's enduring success as a high school coach showcased the fulfillment possible in that role.
Oats' opportunity to transition to college coaching arose in 2013 when he caught the eye of then-Rhode Island assistant Bobby Hurley, who later hired him as an assistant at Buffalo. Oats now joins two other Final Four coaches with high school coaching backgrounds: Dan Hurley, who started at Saint Benedict's Prep, and Kevin Keatts, who had stints at Hargrave Military Academy. Matt Painter of Purdue is the sole Final Four coach with a college-only coaching experience.
Keatts emphasized the value of high school coaches, noting their dedication to the game despite not receiving substantial financial rewards. Hurley, who grew up in a competitive basketball environment, credits his high school coaching experience for shaping his coaching style and ability to command attention in the huddle.
Keatts' early coaching days at Hargrave provided him with invaluable insights into recruiting and player development, experiences that have influenced his coaching career. Oats also appreciated the lower pressure environment of coaching at Romulus, allowing him to experiment and refine his coaching philosophy without the fear of immediate consequences.
These coaches highlight the benefits of starting in the high school ranks, where they could develop their coaching skills and build a strong foundation before transitioning to the college level. Their diverse paths to coaching success underscore the importance of varied experiences in shaping coaching styles and strategies.
As the Final Four approaches, these coaches reflect on their journeys from high school to college coaching, recognizing the unique advantages and lessons gained along the way.
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AP March Madness bracket: https://apnews.com/hub/ncaa-mens-bracket and coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/march-madness
