Samford Extends Bucky McMillan Through 2032

Well that did not take long. Just five days after a heartbreaking loss to Kansas in the NCAA Tournament, Samford announced another contract extension with head coach Bucky McMillan. This is the second extension for McMillan in as many years. This new deal will run through 2032.

Samford is showing their commitment to keeping the best basketball coach since Jimmy Tillette early in his tenure and for good reason. Not just energy and life is back into this program since McMillan was hired, the wins have come as well.

This program under McMillan, has had three straight 20-win seasons and minus the COVID-19 season, has compiled a 71-28 record. The Bulldogs have won two Southern Conference regular season titles and now have a SoCon tournament title with an NCAA Tournament appearance.

So what does today's news mean?

Samford basketball this past season, reached heights that have not been seen in a long time. You want to know how you continue that success? You give the head coach who got you there everything that he needs to continue to excel at a high level. This is the commitment that us, the university, are showing to you.

It is not just a financial commitment to the coach themselves, there are other resources that he needs. Samford has apparently stepped their game up in the NIL department, another resource to help basketball coaches be successful in this day in age. That is not THE reason why Samford basketball won a ton last season no matter what some other SoCon media members may lead you to believe.

However, it is all a part of the recruiting landscape now, it is not going anywhere.

One other reason, which really is the main reason, is the alignment of university leaders. That is why Samford basketball and other programs on campus have been successful and will continue to be. Since joining Samford in 2021, Dr. Beck Taylor has continuously shown his commitment to making athletics a major priority. Along with Samford Athletic Director Martin Newton, those two are making sure that their coaches have everything they need.

Below is the quote from McMillan in today’s release.

"I want to thank Dr. Taylor and Martin Newton for their confidence in the direction of the program as I am extremely grateful for the contract extension," McMillan said. "We are building a special program here at Samford and I look forward to continuing to work, along with my staff and players, to compete for championships and have a basketball program that is relevant on a national level. I greatly appreciate the support of our administration and fans that have been essential to our program taking the strides we have in the last couple of years. Together, we will work to take even bigger steps forward in the years to come. Go Bulldogs!"

This is the first thing that coaches look into when potentially taking other jobs. How aligned are its leaders? Now Oklahoma football head coach Brent Venables turned down the Auburn head coaching job in 2021. He admitted that he was not sure about the university’s alignment. He turned out to be correct.

Samford has great alignment and it is a massive reason why Samford’s athletic programs continue to thrive. The basketball program was the final one that needed correction and it is an ascending program. Along with McMillan, Taylor, and Newton, those three are the right people to lead this program forward.

This Samford basketball program is poised to keep winning championships and this administration is showing their coach how much he means to them.