Two cornerstones of Samford Athletics faculty, head football coach Chris Hatcher and head basketball coach Bucky McMillan, will be staying in Birmingham for the foreseeable future.
Athletic Director Martin Newton has secured both coaches, as Hatcher signed a four-year extension that runs through January 2027, while McMillan inked a seven-year extension that keeps Bucky Ball rolling through 2030. Hatcher was appreciative in a statement about the extension.
“I’m very grateful to the university, the athletic department for allowing me to have this opportunity, my family to have this opportunity, but I’m also very thankful to all the players and coaches who have been with me for nine years,” Hatcher said.
Newton shared his support of Coach McMillan continuing to work for Samford and lead our basketball team.
“Bucky has brought a renewed energy and interest to Samford basketball,” Newton said. “As a Birmingham native, his love for the community, combined with his passion for winning, makes him the perfect fit for Samford.”
The importance of these extensions cannot be understated. The routine of college sports far too often involves great mid-major coaches such as Hatcher and McMillan getting hired by larger D-1 schools. Troy Taylor took Sacramento State football to new heights; he is now the head coach at Stanford. Porter Moser took Loyola Chicago from a middling program to a powerhouse; now, he leads Oklahoma’s team to victory. These are just two of dozens of coaches who have gotten swiped by bigger schools following their success at universities at Samford. Luckily for Bulldog fans, Hatcher and McMillan will stick around for at least a while longer.
Sports Editor
