In a significant move for its basketball program, Texas A&M University has officially hired Bucky McMillan, the former head coach of Samford University, to take the reins of its men's basketball team. This announcement was made on Saturday, marking a new chapter for the Aggies as they seek to elevate their performance in the competitive landscape of college basketball.

McMillan, who is expected to sign a five-year contract with Texas A&M, steps in following the departure of former coach Buzz Williams. Williams recently accepted the head coaching position at the University of Maryland earlier this week, leaving the Aggies in search of a dynamic leader to guide their program.

Trev Alberts, the athletic director at Texas A&M, expressed enthusiasm regarding McMillan's appointment. In a release from the university, Alberts stated, “We’re incredibly excited about Bucky coming to Aggieland to lead our men’s basketball program. He’s an innovator as a coach, and he has a smart and analytics-driven approach to the game. Bucky brings a unique combination of qualities to our program, and we’re thrilled to begin the next chapter of our basketball history under his leadership.”

The 41-year-old McMillan has made a name for himself during his tenure at Samford, where he accumulated an impressive record of 99 wins against 52 losses since his arrival in 2020. Under his guidance, the Bulldogs experienced considerable success, including a trip to the NCAA Tournament last season, although they faced a tough first-round defeat against Kansas. This past season, Samford posted a commendable 22-11 record, though they were eliminated in the opening round of the NIT.

In his own words, McMillan expressed his excitement about the new role, stating, “I couldn’t be more excited to wake up to the reality of being the head basketball coach at Texas A&M. 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 levels 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.” His commitment to excellence is palpable, and he aims to instill that ethos within the Aggies’ program.

One of McMillan’s defining characteristics as a coach is his innovative offensive strategy, often referred to as “Buckyball.” This fast-paced, up-tempo style of play has proven effective, as evidenced by Samford's ranking of 15th in average possession length according to KenPom.com. Such a creative and dynamic approach could breathe new life into Texas A&M’s offense, enticing both players and fans alike.

McMillan will inherit a Texas A&M program that has shown promise, winning at least 21 games in each of the last four seasons. However, the Aggies are looking to build on this foundation and advance further in the NCAA Tournament. Their most recent campaign concluded with a hard-fought loss to No. 5 seed Michigan in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

Before taking over at Samford, McMillan had a successful run coaching high school basketball at Mountain Brook High School in Mountain Brook, Alabama, from 2006 to 2020. His background in high school basketball equipped him with the skills necessary to develop young talent, which will be critical as he transitions to the collegiate level.

The timing of McMillan's hiring comes amid a notable coaching carousel within college basketball. Just days prior to his announcement, Ole Miss head coach Chris Beard opted to stay with the Rebels after receiving a lucrative raise and an impressive NIL budget, making him one of the top candidates considered by Texas A&M to replace Williams. According to reports, the Aggies evaluated numerous candidates before ultimately selecting McMillan.

As the dust settles on coaching changes across the nation, McMillan’s appointment signals Texas A&M’s commitment to enhancing its basketball program. With a dedicated coach at the helm, the Aggies are poised to embark on an exciting new chapter in their quest for greatness on the court.