Bucky McMillan admits he was told Texas A&M is like a cult 'in a good way'

Texas A&M is among the most unique schools when it comes to their traditions. Bucky McMillan knows that’s what he signed up for by becoming a coach for the Aggies.

In his introduction this week in College Station, McMillan was asked if he knew anything of the school’s traditions before he came. He said he knew of some of them, hearing it compared to “a cult, like, in a good way”, with how distinct they were amongst those who are fans of A&M.

“You know, I’ve heard – people tell me that the people are so tight with all that they do, everything’s kind of like the opposite in some ways, right. They’re talking about, don’t say hey, it’s howdy. And so, I was hearing some of the unique stuff that I had seen from afar but I didn’t understand it yet, right,” McMillan said. “They said it’s almost like a cult, like, in a good way, though. Like, it’s like, if you’re in, you’re in and that’s like their way of saying – hey, like, howdy, howdy, you’re a believer, I’m a believer like we’re on the same page, right, we believe in this place. And, um, I think that’s really cool, you know.”

Again, it’s in a good way to McMillan. He wants his fanbase like that because they’ll make a difference for the program as he starts his tenure. He knows they’ll be with them in the bad times but then get to appreciate the good times with them that much more.

“I think it’s cool because, with anything you do, I say it’s about the people. You know that. It’s about the people. Like, these buildings and this office and all this? It’s fantastic but that’s not going to win us any games, right. That’s not going to win us a game. It’s about the people we have in this program,” McMillan said. “Like, you love this university. Why? Because it’s got nice buildings or because you love the people associated with it? When there’s a connection between all people, that’s when special things happen. And it’s really special if people can go through the adversity together and come out on the other side because that’s when it becomes so significant, when it’s difficult, right. Like, when it’s really difficult and you have to go through the lows to get to the highs? When you go through that together, it’s that much more rewarding.”

McMillan still has a lot to learn having been in Aggieland for a little less than a week now. He realizes what they have there, though, as he starts his career at A&M.

“I feel the passion from this place and this fanbase and the people that are there through it all, you know,” McMillan said. “We’re going to celebrate a lot of highs. It’s going to be very rewarding.”