Bucky McMillan is a native of Alabama, spending his entire life in or around the Birmingham area including both his playing and coaching careers. As such, one might think he is unfamiliar, or perhaps even unprepared for a fierce in-state rivalry like the one that he will face against the Texas Longhorns next season.

The Bucky McMillan era kicked off at Texas A&M with a lofty promise from the coach who raised Samford basketball to new heights.

Texas A&M wasted little time finding a new men’s basketball coach after Buzz Williams departed for Maryland. Stepping in for Williams is McMillan, who is coming off a successful stint at Samford. Here are five things to know about A&M’s newest men’s basketball coach: