By Ben Edwards
It’s been three weeks since Bucky McMillan left Samford, and the campus is still feeling
the sting of rejection. While I genuinely hope Bucky finds success in the SEC, it’s hard not
to think back to what was being said just a year ago—talks of becoming the “Gonzaga of
the South” and building a national powerhouse. Now, those dreams are heading west to
College Station.
Samford fans have grown used to seeing top players leave in the NIL era, chasing bigger
programs and brighter spotlights. That’s the curse of being a mid-major. But to build a
successful program, coaches need to stay.
That’s why one comment stuck out to me during new head basketball coach Lennie Acuff’s
introductory press conference:
“I was 99.9% sure I would stay at Lipscomb, and then Samford called.”
It makes me think that longevity may have been one of the key factors in his hiring.
Look at four of Samford’s most successful programs over the past decade—women’s
soccer, baseball and men’s and women’s track and field. What do they all have in
common? Stability.
Women’s soccer coach Todd Yelton has been at Samford for 22 years. Tony David has led
the baseball program for 17 years. Rod Tiffin has been at the helm of track and field for 14
years.
Even in women’s basketball, with the recent departure of Carley Kuhns, Athletic
Director Martin Newton chose continuity by promoting Matt Wise from within.
Hiring Bucky straight out of high school was a bold move that paid off. But being a
steppingstone is a heartbreak that Samford can’t afford to go through again.
