New Texas A&M Coach Has Message For Aggieland

Growing up in Birmingham, Alabama, McMillan is familiar with the SEC and its reputation. As the head coach at Mountain Brook High School, McMillan helped current Brooklyn Nets forward Trendon Watford navigate the SEC recruiting world on his journey to LSU. Watford chose the Tigers over Alabama, Tennessee, Vanderbilt, Auburn and Mississippi State.

McMillan’s play style could not be further from former A&M coach Buzz Williams’. The slow, offensive rebound-oriented, gritty brand of basketball of the old regime is being replaced by “Bucky Ball,” a style originated from McMillan himself. Bucky Ball consists of high-tempo, stingy defense and smart shots from beyond the arc.

“We play the kind of style that wins,” McMillan said. “We just want to do it faster!”

McMillan’s message was clear: He wants to play fast, he wants to win and he wants to build a hardworking, unselfish and fearless culture.

McMillan exuded fearlessness when he took an NCAA Division I head coaching position after only having high school coaching experience, a jump that not many have made.

“Our teams have never backed away from a challenge. It will be no different at Texas A&M, especially with the strength of the 12th Man behind us!”

Former Stephen F. Austin head coach Kyle Keller and former A&M assistant coach Mitch Cole return to the Aggies as part of McMillan’s staff.