Mike Elko, the head coach of Texas A&M football, recently shared his first impressions of Bucky McMillan, the new Texas A&M basketball coach. McMillan, who took over after Buzz Williams left for Maryland, has been a successful coach at Samford, leading the team to multiple NCAA Tournament appearances and achieving over 20 wins each season in his final four years there.
Elko, who met McMillan and his family during a recent interaction, praised McMillan as a “great guy” and expressed his support for the new coach. Elko also took the opportunity to meet with McMillan’s coaching staff, noting that they seemed like a strong team. Elko acknowledged McMillan’s proven track record at Samford, highlighting his ability to lead teams to consistent victories, and emphasized that McMillan would naturally adapt to the challenges of coaching at Texas A&M.
While Elko offered his assistance and support to McMillan during his transition to the SEC, he acknowledged that McMillan’s experience and winning mentality would help him succeed in one of the toughest conferences in college basketball. Elko shared that the Texas A&M athletic department has a strong culture of cooperation among coaches, and he was eager to provide any guidance McMillan might need, particularly regarding the complexities of the transfer portal.
McMillan, for his part, expressed his belief in the importance of the people around the program, stating that success is driven by the connections between the players, coaches, and the community. He emphasized that while the facilities at Texas A&M are impressive, it’s the people that make the program special. McMillan believes that the true significance of success comes from enduring adversity together, with the highs being even more rewarding when shared with a committed and supportive group.
As McMillan settles into his new role, his philosophy of fostering strong relationships and supporting his team through challenges is likely to play a key role in his efforts to build a successful program at Texas A&M.
