The winds of change are sweeping through College Station, as Texas A&M Aggies embark on a fresh journey under the leadership of their newly appointed head coach, Bucky McMillan. After the departure of Buzz Williams, who moved on to Maryland, the Aggies are essentially hitting the reset button. But if there's anyone adept at building success from the ground up, it's McMillan.
Back in 2020, McMillan got his start at Samford, a team struggling off a 10-23 season. What he's done since then has been nothing short of transformative.
Implementing a dynamic, fast-paced playing style affectionately known as "Bucky Ball," McMillan gradually spearheaded a remarkable turnaround. His crowning achievement came in 2024 when he propelled Samford to a stellar 29-6 record, earning them their first NCAA Tournament berth since the turn of the millennium.
Now, as he steps into the shoes of the Aggies’ head coach, McMillan brings with him a winning formula aimed at making college basketball not just competitive but also entertaining. During a conversation with Paul Finebaum, McMillan shared, "We just found the most fun way to win. We were a mid-major team who finished in the top 10 in scoring a couple of years ago and I think we were No. 12 this year, and we're the only mid-major team in that department."
His emphasis on creating an exciting environment is palpable: "Particularly in the Southeast, we know it's football country, and no one loves football more than me. So for basketball, it's not good enough to just be successful; we've got to make it entertaining, where the fans say, 'hey, you know what?
I don't care - win, lose, or draw - I'm going to that, I want to see that. That's what we've done, that's what we're going to keep doing."
While Samford couldn't quite replicate their previous season’s success, they still managed an impressive 82.9 points per game this year. This offensive prowess is a testament to McMillan's ability to maximize his players’ potential. This talent for coaching wasn't just recognized by fans and players; McMillan was honored as Southern Conference Coach of the Year for three consecutive seasons from 2022 to 2024.
Now, with the backing of the SEC's resources and Texas A&M’s robust booster support, McMillan has an opportunity to elevate the Aggies to new heights. This could be the beginning of an electrifying chapter for Texas A&M basketball, and with McMillan at the helm, the horizon looks promising. McMillan's blueprint for engaging and winning basketball promises to bring a fresh wave of excitement to Aggieland.
