HSSS-Kevin McMillan and John Wild

Tate Is joined by Coach Kevin McMillan, head women's basketball coach at UT Martin, is joined by his long-time friend and Hall of Famer, Coach John Wild. Coach McMillan reflects on his unconventional start in coaching women's basketball, which began at the age of 23 when the head girls' coach at Millington, Ruth Ann Hicks, unexpectedly stepped down and recommended him for the position. Since then, McMillan has built an impressive career, including 435 high school wins and 307 wins during his 16-year tenure at UT Martin, the third-highest in OVC history. The coaches also discuss the evolving landscape of women's basketball, noting the dramatic improvements in skill level and athleticism over the last few decades. They delve into the impact of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) and the transfer portal, with Coach McMillan expressing his concerns about the shift toward financial motivations and the increasing role of agents in the recruiting process. Despite these changes, McMillan attributes much of his success to the "fundamental base of kids" in Tennessee, emphasizing their toughness and hard-nosed work ethic as a key driver of his team's achievements.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.