Brandon Miller’s pregame introduction — which caused a swarm of responses on social media after it was publicized last weekend — was further explained by Alabama coach Nate Oats on Tuesday.

Addressing reporters ahead of the No. 2 Crimson Tide’s final home game of the season, Oats touched on how the team reacted when asked about the pat-down handshake and if any punishments were given out. Players likened it to a search from a Transportation Security Administration while boarding a flight, Oats said.

“As soon as I brought it up to them, they immediately understood how it could be interpreted,” Oats said. “We all felt awful about it. They explained to me that it’s like when TSA checks you before you get on a plane. Now Brandon’s cleared for takeoff. We, as the adults in the room, should’ve been more sensitive to how it could’ve been interpreted. I dropped the ball. That’s it. I dropped the ball on it. We’ve addressed it. I can assure you it won’t happen again.”

The team had done the same routine prior to its first 27 games, Oats said following Alabama’s 86-83 win over Arkansas on Saturday. Miller would stride toward walk-on Adam Cottrell as Miller was announced in the Tide’s starting lineup. Then he would extend his arms out and be patted down.

Per the TSA website, “pat-down procedures are used to determine if prohibited items or other threats to transportation security are concealed on the person.”

Oats did not state if any punishments were handed out. Since the Feb. 21 revelation by Tuscaloosa police that both Brandon Miller and Jaden Bradley were on the Tuscaloosa strip on Jan. 15 when Jamea Harris was shot (former Tide player Darius Miles was charged along with Michael Davis), no players have been made available for interviews.

“I think he’s one of the most mentally, if not the mentally most tough kids I’ve ever coached in my life and I’ve been coaching for a while,” Oats said of Miller’s mindset on Saturday. “While he completely understands that the situation is tragic, he takes it very seriously as he’s been cooperating the whole time. He’s also done a great job being able to focus on practices, games and getting just laser-focused where he’s dialed into where his feet are at.”

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Nick Alvarez is a reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @nick_a_alvarez or email him at [email protected].