Bucky McMillan Shares Why His Coaching Approach Will Be Vastly Different from Buzz Williams’… Full Breakdown Below 👇👇👇
Bucky McMillan is stepping into the spotlight with a clear message: his coaching style won’t just differ slightly from that of Buzz Williams—it will be worlds apart. As he transitions into his next chapter in college basketball, McMillan is making it known that his vision, philosophy, and game-day execution will carry his own distinct fingerprint, built on principles that prioritize speed, creativity, and player empowerment.
McMillan, who first rose to national prominence for transforming Mountain Brook High School into an Alabama powerhouse and later for revitalizing Samford University’s program, is no stranger to bold, fast-paced basketball. His philosophy is grounded in an up-tempo, pressing style that keeps opponents on their heels and thrives on hustle, ball movement, and aggressive defense. Unlike Buzz Williams—known for a more structured, physical, half-court style with an emphasis on toughness and grit—McMillan is determined to bring a freer, faster brand of basketball that gives players more room to improvise and express their instincts.
Speaking on his coaching philosophy, McMillan emphasized the importance of adapting to players’ strengths rather than forcing them into a rigid mold. “Basketball is a game of movement and rhythm,” he said. “I want our players to read, react, and make decisions. We won’t be walking the ball up the court and calling a set every time down. We’re going to play fast, play free, and play fearless.”
One of the biggest distinctions between McMillan’s approach and that of Buzz Williams is his use of full-court pressure. While Williams has built teams that grind opponents down in the half-court, McMillan is aiming to wear them down from the opening tip with relentless press defense. “We’re going to pressure you for 94 feet,” McMillan explained. “The idea is to speed you up, make you uncomfortable, and dictate the tempo from start to finish.”
This approach doesn’t just make for exciting basketball—it also speaks to McMillan’s broader belief in developing players holistically. By encouraging them to take ownership of their decisions on the court, he aims to build leaders, not just followers. “We want players who think for themselves, who learn the game deeply,” he noted. “It’s about building high-IQ athletes who can thrive in any system—not just ours.”
Another contrast lies in McMillan’s use of spacing and pace on offense. While Buzz Williams’ offenses often operate with a focus on set plays and grinding out possessions, McMillan plans to spread the floor, use quick ball reversals, and push the pace at every opportunity. “We’re going to stretch the defense and create mismatches,” he said. “The goal is to create open looks early in the shot clock, not rely on isolation and post-ups late in possessions.”
McMillan also spoke about the importance of energy and connection, both on and off the court. “We’re building a culture where guys are flying around, diving for loose balls, celebrating each other’s success,” he said. “We want a bench that’s engaged, a crowd that’s energized, and a team that’s feeding off that intensity.”
Though McMillan respects what Buzz Williams accomplished during his coaching tenure, he’s not trying to replicate that formula. “What Coach Williams did worked for him, and he had a lot of success,” McMillan acknowledged. “But we’re writing a new chapter. This is going to be a totally different book.”
As Bucky McMillan prepares to put his unique stamp on the program, fans can expect a fresh identity, built on pace, pressure, and purpose. Whether it leads to wins immediately or takes time to bear fruit, one thing is certain—his coaching approach will not be mistaken for anyone else’s.