Alabama men’s basketball head coach Nate Oats and his wife, Crystal Oats, have experienced tremendous moments of pride and terrifying moments of grief over the course of their nearly 30-year marriage.
Nate and Crystal got married in 1997 and have since welcomed three daughters: Lexie, Jocie and Brielle.
The family was forced to face a battle off the court when Crystal was diagnosed with double-hit lymphoma, an aggressive form of cancer, in October 2015.
“We were trying to act like life was going to go on as normal, but this is anything but normal,” Nate — who was hired as the head coach at Alabama in March 2019 — recalled in a December 2020 video produced by the university. “There’s a good chance she doesn’t make it. In my mind, I got three daughters. This is not good.”
For a full timeline of Nate and Crystal’s relationship, keep scrolling.
1997
Crystal and Nate got married as he was beginning his coaching career as an assistant at Maranatha Baptist University in Watertown, Wisconsin, Nate’s hometown.
2002
Following four seasons at Maranatha Baptist and three seasons as an assistant at Wisconsin-Whitewater, the couple moved to Michigan, where Nate was head coach at Romulus High School for 11 seasons.
March 2004
Nate and Crystal welcomed their first daughter, Lexie.
May 2009
The couple welcomed their second daughter, Jocelyn (Jocie, for short).
May 2012
Nate and Crystal announced the arrival of their third daughter, Brielle, via the basketball coach’s new Instagram account.
October 2015
Crystal was diagnosed with cancer.
“One of our best friends died 10 years ago of lymphoma, so my first thought was, ‘I’m going to die,’” Crystal told ESPN after her diagnosis. “I called Nate right away.”
After telling her husband, she recalled having to tell her three daughters.
“It was awful,” Crystal said.
November 2015
Nate shared a family photo via Instagram in the midst of Crystal’s cancer fight.
“Family pictures last Wednesday, the day before Crystal started her chemo,” he wrote.
December 2015
Crystal’s chemotherapy treatments didn’t stop the couple from celebrating their anniversary.
“18 yrs ago I married my beautiful wife,” Nate shared via X. “Knowing she had chemo this wknd we celebrated last Sat at Texas de Brazil.”
June 2016
Jocie and Brielle had a joint birthday celebration, which their Dad posted about via Instagram.
“When birthdays r only a week apart sometimes the parties get thrown together,” he wrote. “Jocie is 7 now and Brielle is 4. Love these girls.”
August 2016
After Crystal underwent a successful stem cell transplant in April 2016, Nate shared a positive update about her health.
“Got Crystal’s test results back. Everything came back cancer free,” he shared via X. “Will now test every 3 mos for next 2 yrs. Thanks for everyone’s prayers.”
September 2020
The whole family posed for photos on the sidelines of a University of Alabama football game.
“Happy National Daughter’s Day to 3 of the most beautiful girls I know,” Nate shared via Instagram. “Love you Lexie, Jocie, & Brielle!”
May 2022
Nate celebrated Jocie hitting a major birthday milestone.
“We’ve got another teenager in the house!” he shared via Instagram alongside a carousel of photos. “Happy 13th @jocie.oats Such great memories. So proud of you! Love you Jocie!”
March 2023
Nate was grateful for some father-daughter time with Lexie as she prepared to flee the nest.
“Now that she’s ‘off’ to college I’m just happy I got to meet up with her for a birthday lunch date today,” he wrote via Instagram. “So proud of the young woman you’re becoming. Love you sweetie.”
Thankfully for him and Crystal, Nate was able to joke about Lexie leaving home because she enrolled at the University of Alabama, where she is currently majoring in communications with minors in sports hospitality and criminal justice.
May 2024
Nate shared a photo from Alabama’s run to the Final Four in 2024 to celebrate his middle daughter’s birthday.
“Happy birthday Jocie!” he wrote via Instagram. “Can’t believe you’re old enough to have your driver’s permit already! Crazy how much you’ve grown up. So proud of the young lady you’ve become.”
