Alabama’s Nate Oats Has Shocking Reaction to Murder Investigation

Former Crimson Tide forward Darius Miles is charged in the case, and current forward Brandon Miller is accused of providing the murder weapon.

Editors’ note, Feb. 23, 7 p.m. ET: This story has been updated to correct the attribution of two quotes to Darius Miles, according to police testimony.

Alabama men’s basketball coach Nate Oats raised eyebrows Tuesday with his reaction to new police testimony in the ongoing murder investigation involving former Crimson Tide forward Darius Miles. 

Miles and 20-year-old Michael “Buzz” Davis have been charged with capital murder in the death of 23-year-old Jamea Harris in Tuscaloosa, Ala. According to law enforcement officers in court Tuesday, Alabama forward Brandon Miller provided then teammate Miles with the weapon used in the killing. 

“We knew about that,” Oats said of the allegations during a news conference. “Can’t control everything everybody does outside of practice. Nobody knew that was going to happen. College kids are out, Brandon hasn’t been in any type of trouble nor is he in any type of trouble in this case. Wrong spot at the wrong time.” 

Oats also noted Miller is “not in any trouble” regarding the allegations.

Police testified that Miles contacted Miller asking for a gun, and when Miller arrived at the scene, Miles told Davis, “The heat is in the hat.” Later, police say Miles added that “there’s one in the head,” signaling that the gun was loaded. Miller was not charged in the killing.

Nate Oats: "We knew about that. Can’t control everything everybody does outside of practice. Nobody knew that was going to happen. ... Brandon hasn’t been in any type of trouble nor is he in any type of trouble in this case. Wrong spot at the wrong time." pic.twitter.com/6G2Ncr4RSr

— Rob Dauster (@RobDauster) February 21, 2023