Bucky McMillan: A Standout in the SEC Coach of the Year Race
Texas A&M basketball has been turning heads this season, far surpassing expectations for 2025-26. Initially pegged as one of the weaker teams in the SEC, the Aggies have defied the odds and are now solid contenders for the NCAA Tournament.
At the season's start, they were predicted to finish 13th in the conference-a spot currently occupied by Mississippi State, sitting at 13-18 overall and 5-13 in conference play. Clearly, the pundits missed the mark on this one.
Leading this charge is Bucky McMillan, who is making a compelling case for SEC Coach of the Year. His main competitor, Todd Golden of Florida, is no stranger to success, having recently guided his team to a national championship. Yet, McMillan's unexpected rise with the Aggies is something special.
The transformation under McMillan is nothing short of remarkable. With a 0% return rate from the previous roster, Chris McDermott stands as the lone scholarship player from the Buzz Williams era. This makes McMillan's achievements even more impressive and positions him as one of the most underrated coaching hires in college basketball today.
SEC Network analyst Daymeon Fishback has already acknowledged McMillan's efforts by naming him a candidate for Co-Coach of the Year alongside Golden. While Florida is on an impressive 11-game win streak and finished the conference with a 16-2 record, they were expected to perform at this level. The Gators stumbled early but have since met every challenge.
In contrast, Texas A&M's success was unforeseen. The Coach of the Year accolade often goes to the leader of the surprise team, and this season, the Aggies fit that bill perfectly. McMillan’s ability to mold a team from scratch and lead them to such heights is a testament to his coaching prowess.
As the season progresses, all eyes will be on McMillan and his Aggies to see if they can continue this Cinderella story. Whether they clinch the Coach of the Year title or not, one thing is clear: Bucky McMillan has put Texas A&M basketball on the map in a big way.