The plan for Billy Kennedy was to coach in College Station and to eventually retire there. He didn't quite follow through with that, and after his eight-year tenure with the Aggies ended, decided to help coach at Wichita State.
During that tenure also came a coach named Darby Rich. It was Kennedy's tenure where they helped build NBA guys such as Robert Williams, Khris Middleton, Danuel House, Alex Caruso, Tyler Davis and Jalen Jones.
Now, [the Aggies have announced the return of Rich](https://12thman.com/news/2025/5/28/mens-basketball-mcmillan-announces-rich-as-strength-and-conditioning-coach) as the Aggies' strength and conditioning coach, and it couldn't come at a more perfect time.
Rich inheriting McMillan's new talent makes this is a perfect move
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With McMillan bringing in some of the most recognizable names in college basketball, this looks like a roster that's pushing to become a preseason AP top 25 team. With guys like Federiko Federiko, Mackenzie Mgbako and Pop Isaacs joining the new look Aggies, this is the perfect time for Rich to come back.
Rich's first tenure with the Aggies was a bit slow. Yes, the Aggies had all of those stars listed up above in Kennedy's eight-year tenure, but they all came in at different times. Rich will get to see some new blood, and fast, adding to his resume even more.
He will be instrumental in helping this roster to gel. Bucky Ball will be partially worked out on the court during practice time, but this team will begin to come together just as much in offseason workouts and training, which will be Rich's area of specialty.
It would've been nice to have Rich last season next to Buzz Williams' core veteran group, but the new faces led by McMillan is a gift. This is another step in the right direction for Aggie basketball, and after a sore ending against Michigan which looked to be an inexcusable loss, hopefully McMillan and Rich can help turn that around.