On Friday, it was revealed that Texas A&M AD Trev Alberts had targeted Samford head coach Bucky McMillan as the program's new head basketball coach after Buzz Williams departed the program on Tuesday to take the vacant Maryland position. On Saturday afternoon, the hiring became official, as the 41-year-old Alabama native is headed to College Station as the 23rd head coach in Texas A&M basketball history.
McMillan is bringing his signature brand of basketball to the SEC, known as "Bucky Ball," a fast-based offense, 3-point shooting, and relentless defense that is made to tire out opponents in the second half. After winning four high school state titles, McMillan was hired at Samford, which hadn't made the NCAA Tournament since 2000 before his arrival.
Four seasons later, McMillan led the Bulldogs to the 2024 NCAA Tournament, nearly upsetting 4-seed Kansas in the first round and receiving praise from Hall of Fame coach Bill Self, who saw a star on the rise. With this hiring becoming official, Texas A&M's basketball future looks exceptionally bright among the SEC, featuring eight head coaches from mid-major programs.
Texas A&M will hold a welcome event on Monday. Still, before his introductory press conference at the start of the new week, McMillan provided his first reaction to being hired and what he looks to bring to College Station after six seasons under Buzz Williams.
"I couldn't be more excited to wake up to the reality of being the head basketball coach at Texas A&M," McMillon stated. "As a guy that grew up around the SEC, I am motivated by the vision of Texas A&M's leadership to compete at the highest level of college basketball. As I've done my entire career, I won't rest until we get the Aggies playing at a championship level year in and year out.
McMillan's play style can be described as "relentless," but who better to sum up what he's all about than the man himself.
“People ask what kind of style do you play? And I oftentimes say ‘it’s real simple, we play the kind of style that WINS, we just want to do it FASTER!’ At our core, we want players and coaches who are HARDWORKING, UNSELFISH, and as a result, FEARLESS.”
Yes, quotes are just quotes, but this is the type of fire and tenacity Aggie fans have been waiting for, which should translate into a high-scoring and just plain fun brand of basketball that will fill Reed Arena throughout his tenure.
Welcome to Aggieland, Coach Bucky McMillan 👍
→ https://t.co/X4huwE3Fz6#GigEmSave Story Topics in this Story
