Career
He also played for the Detroit Express and the California Surf in the NASL. While at Newcastle United, Oates scored an own goal in a match against Leeds United directly from the kick-off, lobbing goalkeeper Willie McFaul in the process. McFaul is said to have been well out of position in the execution of the preplanned play. In his first stint as a head coach, Oates led the 1978 squad to the Michigan High School State Soccer Championship.