Alabama basketball head coach Nate Oats has the Crimson Tide in the Final Four for the first time in program history. For some, UA’s run of success since he took over the head job was their introduction to Oats.

For others, like new Alabama football offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan, this is nothing new. Speaking to reporters on Friday, Sheridan, who went to Saline High School in Michigan, shared a memory of watching Oats coach at Romulus, in the greater Detroit area.

“He wouldn’t know this,” Sheridan said. “I haven’t had a chance to say hi to him or meet him yet, but I went and watched him coach at Romulus High School. They played (Ypsilanti) High. There was a good left handed kid and Romulus was loaded — Coach probably knows that they had a great team. It was kind of like a big deal. They were playing (Ypsilanti) High and they had a left-handed point guard that was a really good player. So it was like a big deal for even local high school kids to go watch. I was the third baseman. So I don’t know why I went to the basketball game, but I took a look at it.”

Sheridan followed joined Oats at Alabama this offseason, when Kalen DeBoer took over the head coaching job after Nick Saban retired and Sheridan came with him from Washington. The former Michigan quarterback was briefly coaching tight ends in Tuscaloosa, but when Ryan Grubb took the offensive coordinator job with the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks, Sheridan got promoted.

The football Tide is in the midst of spring football, while the basketball squad plays UConn Saturday in the Final Four game.

“We’re behind them,” Sheridan said. “I mean, it’s been fun to watch. You know, we use Grant Nelson.We used him in our unit meeting the other day and talking about how — we talked about a 1-0 mentality and for him to come through like he did against UNC, I think, was amazing. I think we all would agree with that.

“So we’re pulling hard for him. And, you know, it’s been fun to watch. And what a great job Coach has done and the staff. And most importantly, the players. I mean, (Mark) Sears was lights-out, boys. I mean, it was unbelievable, right? I mean, it’s crazy, right? So we’re right behind them and wish them the best of luck.”