In eleven years as head coach of the Romulus High School basketball team, Oats enjoyed a 222-52 winning record. For his team's accomplishments, he's won multiple awards and recognition in the area press. Subsequently, Oats was named assistant coach at the University of Buffalo. At the NCAA Division 1 level, Oats faced fierce competition. By 2015, he'd accepted the head coaching position at Buffalo. In his initial season, Buffalo took third place in the conference. Buffalo renewed Oats' contract for five years. The team began the third season with eight wins in a row. It was the best start in the history of the team.

His team philosophy includes selfless love, continuous growth, and maximum effort. In 2019, he led the Buffalo team to a winning 28-3 record. In 2019, Oats accepted a position as the head coach for the Alabama Crimson Tide. After two successful seasons, the school renewed his contract for three years until the 2027 basketball season. With a 3.2 million annual compensation, Oats career has come a long way from his days as a high school basketball coach. Sharing his philosophies for success and teamwork during his keynote addresses, Oats shares the values and strategies that have helped him, and his teams, obtain consistent victories.