Alabama basketball coach Nate Oats celebrated as modern 'My Cousin Vinny' after LSU win
Erik Hall
Is Alabama men's basketball head coach Nate Oats a modern "My Cousin Vinny"?
Well, many people on social media think so, especially after Tuesday's 30-point Alabama win at LSU, 105-75.
The plot of the 1992 movie "My Cousin Vinny" is about two college students accused of murder in Alabama, and their cousin Vinny Gambini — played by Joe Pesci — is a lawyer from New York that comes to help the college students in Alabama.
Oats was the men's basketball coach in Buffalo, New York, before coming to the University of Alabama as men's basketball coach.
It's not a giant leap to say there's a connection between the Pesci character and Oats, and it's become celebrated on social media with the phrase: Nate Oats. My Cousin Vinny.
The saying gained prominence toward the end of the 2019-20 season, but with Alabama undefeated in the SEC, it's reaching a new level. CBS broadcaster Jon Rothstein tweets the phrase after Alabama wins this season, and several other people joined in celebrating the connection Tuesday.
Rothstein's tweet had more than 850 likes and 175 retweets within an hour of Tuesday's win.
Nate Oats. My Cousin Vinny.
Nate Oats. My Cousin Vinny — GIFs, memes
After Tuesday's 105-75 Alabama win, several people responded to Rothstein with GIFs and memes evoking the movie.
With Tuesday's win, Alabama, ranked No. 16 in the Ferris Mowers men's basketball coaches poll, improved to 12-3 overall and 7-0 in the SEC. LSU went to 10-3 overall and 5-2 in the SEC.
"My Cousin Vinny" screenwriter Dale Launer says on his website that he drove through Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama to do research on the movie.
Here's more LSU, Alabama basketball news:
- Alabama basketball:7 best GIFs celebrating Alabama's dominating 60-point first half vs. LSU basketball
- Officials:Who are the No. 16 Alabama Crimson Tide vs. LSU men's basketball referees?
- Jaden Shackelford:3 things to know about Alabama men's basketball guard Jaden Shackelford
Marisa Tomei won a best supporting actress Oscar for her role of Mona Lisa Vito in "My Cousin Vinny." The movie was released March 15, 1992, and it grossed more than $64 million worldwide, according to IMDB.
Also on March 15, 1992, Alabama men's basketball lost to Kentucky 80-54 in the SEC Tournament.
Erik Hall is the lead digital producer for sports with the USA Today Network. You can find him on Twitter @HallErik.