This is an opinion column.

Add this true fact to the overwhelming body of evidence that the state of Alabama is not just for football anymore, if it ever was. For the second straight year, an SEC program in this state has rewarded its highly successful basketball coach with a lengthy, lucrative new contract – with the all-important month of March still four weeks away.

In late January of 2022, with Auburn unbeaten in the SEC, sitting at No. 1 in the nation, the school threw a lot more years and a lot more money at Bruce Pearl. This week, with Alabama unbeaten in the league, poised to move up from No. 4 in the country, it did the same for Nate Oats.

Starting next year, Oats is signed for six seasons and a total of $30 million, an average of $5 million a year. That’s impressive – just not as impressive as Pearl’s compensation.

Starting this year, the first of his new deal, Auburn has Pearl under contract for eight years and a total of $50.2 million, an average of $6.275 million a year. I’m no mathematician, but if you compare the two deals, the scale tilts toward Auburn.

Pearl will get an annual raise of $250,000. Oats’ annual raise will be $200,000. Pearl’s take this year is $5.4 million. Oats won’t surpass that number until 2028-29, the last year of his new deal, when he pulls in $5.5 million.