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Danny White: Ranking Tennessee Vols AD’s 10 best coaching hires at UCF, Buffalo

By Caleb Calhoun

Mar 24, 2019; Storrs, CT, USA; Buffalo Bulls head coach Felisha Legette-Jack watches from the sideline as they take on the UConn Huskies during the first inning in the second round of the 2019 NCAA Tournament at Gampel Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 24, 2019; Storrs, CT, USA; Buffalo Bulls head coach Felisha Legette-Jack watches from the sideline as they take on the UConn Huskies during the first inning in the second round of the 2019 NCAA Tournament at Gampel Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 21, 2018; Buffalo, NY, USA; Buffalo Bulls head coach Nate Oats against the Dartmouth Big Green at Alumni Arena. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 21, 2018; Buffalo, NY, USA; Buffalo Bulls head coach Nate Oats against the Dartmouth Big Green at Alumni Arena. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports /

Record with Buffalo Bulls: 96-43

  • 3 MAC Tournament Championships (2016, 2018, 2019)
  • 2 MAC Regular Season Championships (2018, 2019)
  • 3 NCAA Tournaments (2016 Round of 64, 2018 and 2019 Round of 32)

Yes, that same Nate Oats who is on a roll with the Alabama Crimson Tide right now was hired after the success he had with the Buffalo Bulls. Danny White was the guy who found Oats and made him an attractive candidate for an SEC program to begin with.

Remember, White took a risk replacing Reggie Witherspoon with Bobby Hurley, and although Hurley reached unprecedented success, him leaving after two years put even more pressure on White. How could he sustain this new success in Upstate New York?

Well, White simply promoted one of Hurley’s assistants. Oats arrived at Buffalo with Hurley and was part of the turnaround, so he was able to continue the success. His first year, he went 20-15 and won the MAC Tournament Championship en route to a second straight NCAA Tournament appearance for the program.

After going 17-15 in 2016-2017, the program took off. Oats led Buffalo to a 27-9 record and then a 32-4 record over the next two years, winning back to back MAC Tournament and MAC Regular Season Championships. He then made the second round of the NCAA Tournament both times. This was a reflection of White’s success, and Oats is now balling at Alabama.

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