'We find fun ways to win' Texas A&M HC Bucky McMillan is ready to get to work
'We find fun ways to win' Texas A&M HC Bucky McMillan is ready to get to work
On Monday, new Texas A&M basketball head coach Bucky McMillan was officially hired as the program's 23rd head coach. He greeted Aggie fans in Reed Arena, providing his first introduction to those who aren't as familiar with his coaching history after five seasons heading the Samford Bulldogs.
Like most new head coaches, McMillan made the media rounds on Wednesday, starting with his appearances on the Paul Finebaum show, whose host is reportedly a big fan of what the Alabama native offers, calling in a potential "game-changer" and one of the best hires this offseason during his recent appearance on McElroy and Cubelic in the Morning. While Finebaum kept it professional, McMillan provided a brief run-through of his interesting coaching career ahead of taking on his biggest challenge yet.
"I started coaching when I was playing. When I was young playing in high school, I started coaching locally. When I played college, I started coaching AAU. I was never an assistant coach. It was an unusual path."
After winning five state championships at Mountain Brook High School, McMillan's two-year rebuild at Samford was extremely impressive. Four consecutive 20-plus win seasons and the program's first NCAA Tournament appearance during the 2024 season resulted in a close first-round loss to Kansas. Knowing that he will be working with more resources, building a completely depleted roster this offseason isn't impossible, but the clock is ticking.
"I haven't slept much at all. I laughed when Coach Cal said he met with the team and there was no team last year. We have one player on the roster. We're going to put our best foot forward."
With the transfer portal window closing, Aggie fans shouldn't worry because recruiting players from the portal is about pitching the program's play style, as McMillan's "Bucky Ball" approach is built on speed, 3-point shooting, and relentless defense.
"We find fun ways to win. We were the only mid major team in the top 12 in scoring last year. It's not good enough to just win, we have to win and make it entertaining. That's what we'll keep doing."
Winning is everything, but this is a game, after all, and exciting Aggies fans with high-scoring contests and relentless effort will fill Reed Arena throughout the 2025 season and beyond, which, outside of earning NCAA Tournament bids is the primary goal.
Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Cameron on X: @CameronOhnysty.
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