Who is New Texas A&M Coach Bucky McMillan?
The Texas A&M Aggies have officially hired their new basketball coach to replace Buzz Williams.
After an intense coaching search that reportedly included names like Chris Beard from Ole Miss and Grant McCasland from Texas Tech, the Aggies have chosen Samford’s Bucky McMillan to lead the team.
McMillan’s career trajectory is certainly unique. At just 25, he became the varsity basketball coach at Mountain Brook High School, his alma mater. Over 12 seasons, McMillan led the team to five state titles in Alabama’s 6A division, finishing with an impressive 333-74 record, earning legendary status in the process.
The Birmingham, Alabama native made the leap from high school to NCAA Division I when he took the head coaching job at Samford. During his tenure there, he led the Bulldogs to two regular season conference championships and four consecutive 20-win seasons. In 2024, he guided Samford to its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2000. His collegiate coaching record stands at 99-52.
McMillan’s teams are known for their fast-paced play, which he calls “Bucky Ball.” His style emphasizes high-pressure full-court defense, quick ball movement, and smart shooting. Last season, his squad ranked fourth in turnovers forced, seventh in 3-pointers made, 11th in 3-point attempts, and 27th in assists.
In his short career, McMillan has received several accolades, including the NHSCA Coach of the Year award in 2018 and being named SoCon Coach of the Year three times.
McMillan takes over at Texas A&M with a clean slate. With eight seniors departing and many players in the transfer portal, he has the opportunity to build a roster that fits his style. However, with the portal closing on April 22, McMillan will need to act quickly.
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