Alabama head basketball coach Nate Oats was questioned about one of the playerâs controversial introduction ahead of a game, saying he âdropped the ball on it.â
ESPN reported walk-on player Adam Cottrell patted down freshman player Brandon Miller.
Last month, it was reported that a police investigator said Miller was on the scene of a fatal shooting.
During a press conference, Oats explained to reporters, âThat situationâs on me. We addressed as a team soon as I brought it up to them. They immediately understood how it could be interpreted, and we all felt awful about it.â
He added, âThey explained to me that itâs like when TSA checks you before you get on a plane. And now Brandonâs cleared for takeoff.â
Oats continued, âWe, as the adults in the room, shouldâve been more sensitive to how it couldâve been interpreted. I dropped the ball on it. We addressed it. I can assure you it wonât happen again.â
Watch the video below:
Oats received criticism from some on Twitter with radio host Maggie Gray asking, âDid he really need to be looking at notes for this one?â
Reporter Ethan Budowsky tweeted, âIf I were Nate Oats I would stop talking.â
One tweet pointed put TSA âdoesnât pat you down unless they see something.â
USA Today noted Branden Culpepper of the Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit testified that a man named Darius Miles and Michael Lynn Davis were in Millerâs car prior to the shooting death of 23-year-old Jamea Harris in January.
Investigators are convinced Miles provided the gun and that Davis fired, killing Harris.
Culpepper says Miles gave Davis the gun while in Millerâs car.
Miles then reportedly texted Miller and Miller brought the gun to the scene, per USA Today.
