After a massively successful first season in College Station, Bucky McMillan and his Texas A&M basketball staff are loading up to be huge players in the transfer portal, which will be opening very soon. However, Aggie fans have not quite been able to look forward to this exciting time in the same way that they might have otherwise, thanks to a looming threat that has been hanging over their heads.
Following their exit from the tournament, there were rumors lingering heavy in the air that Alabama head coach Nate Oats could make the jump to the NBA if the right job came open. If that came to pass, it would be scary hours for Texas A&M fans— after all, Bucky grew up a huge Alabama fan and is more than familiar with the state overall.
That threat has now been neutralized, as Yea Alabama reported today that Nate Oats would be signing a contract extension and raise to keep him in Tuscaloosa. Though this keeps a power rolling in the conference, the Aggies are at least assured that they are keeping their head man.
Texas A&M fans can breathe easy about Bucky McMillan's future after Nate Oats decides to remain at Alabama
The first year under McMillan in College Station was better than any Aggie fan thought possible, and they want to keep the momentum rolling. Though Oats represents a formidable threat to A&M's chances to keep ascending, it would have been worse to lose McMillan to an in-conference team.
NEW: Alabama head basketball coach Nate Oats has signed a new contract, per @yea_ala🐘 https://t.co/D6oaoURXIw pic.twitter.com/7fU1KsnIJT
— On3 (@On3) April 5, 2026
This is also something that no doubt would have been used against the Aggies in the hectic recruiting world that all coaches now face. With as fast as the transfer portal moves, Texas A&M, just like every other team, wants to have the most solid pitch they possibly can— removing this element of doubt will only help them on that front.
The Aggies can now turn their attention fully towards the portal, where they appear poised to make some major noise over the next couple of weeks. Texas A&M will lose quite a few contributors, true, but they could turn out even better this upcoming season, especially with the return of guys like Mackenzie Mgbako.