Report: Texas A&M Finalizing Deal to Hire Bucky McMillan as Head Coach
Texas A&M is reportedly set to hire Samford’s Bucky McMillan as its next men’s basketball head coach, according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel. The move comes after former Aggies coach Buzz Williams departed for Maryland on April 1.
McMillan and Texas A&M are said to be working toward a five-year contract. In five seasons at Samford, McMillan compiled a 99-52 record and led the program to new heights during his tenure.
McMillan’s most successful season at Samford came in 2023-24, when he guided the Bulldogs to a stellar 29-6 record, including a 15-3 run in conference play. That season, Samford captured both the Southern Conference regular-season and tournament titles, earning an NCAA Tournament berth.
McMillan also led Samford to a Southern Conference regular-season title in the 2022-23 season, showcasing consistent success with the program. His efforts earned him Southern Conference Coach of the Year honors for three straight seasons (2022–24).
In the 2024-25 campaign, Samford finished with a 22-11 overall record and went 12-6 in conference play. While they didn’t secure an NCAA Tournament bid, the Bulldogs earned an invitation to the NIT, where their season ended with a first-round loss to George Mason.
McMillan’s teams have become known for their up-tempo, high-energy style of play—an approach affectionately dubbed “Bucky Ball.” This past season, Samford averaged 82.9 points per game, ranking 14th nationally in scoring.
That same fast-paced philosophy carries over to the defensive end, where McMillan employs relentless full-court pressure. The Bulldogs have consistently forced mistakes, finishing in the Top 20 nationally in opponent turnover percentage each of the past two seasons.
Leave a Reply