Full steam ahead: McMillian is excited about new opportunities

Brent McMillian stood in front of a crowd of more than 100 people at the Dr. Roscoe Williams Ballroom in the Jaguar Student Activities Center and relished his homecoming to Augusta University. 

McMillian, a former AU student, was formally introduced at a news conference on June 15 as the fourth Director of Athletics in the university’s history.

“It just shows you how much people want to be involved and want us to succeed. So many alumni fans and donors are ready to jump in and really help our momentum. I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to be part of that,” McMillian said of the standing room-only crowd. “All of this is going to be built on partnerships and relationships, collaborating and getting the larger campus community involved.”

McMillian is a graduate of Greenbrier High School in Evans, Georgia, and attended Augusta University’s legacy institution, Augusta State University, before completing his degree at the University of Tennessee. He brings 13 years of athletics experience to AU. Most recently, he was at Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tennessee, where he served as senior associate athletic director for external engagement and revenue generation. 

“That’s my role in external. … You can’t do it on your own so it’s going to be essential to be out in the community. One, so they know who we are and what we have to offer, but two, so we can listen and meet their needs. We can’t just assume what everyone wants.”

Brent McMillian on building the relationship within the community 

McMillian officially started at AU on June 8 but has had a hands-on approach since he was announced as the new AD on May 11. President Russell T. Keen said, after he and First Lady Karen B. Keen finished dinner with McMillian and his wife, Amber, they all left the table knowing the best chapter of Jaguar athletics was still being written.  

“Brent McMillian understands this community because this community helped shape him. He walked the halls of Greenbrier High School. He studied on this campus. Augusta is not just a place he’s coming to – it’s a place he’s returning to. And that matters,” Keen said.  

“Brent brings with him a proven record of building. At his previous institution, he helped lead the way by bringing more people to support athletics as ticket sales grew by 26%. Corporate sponsorship revenue surged by 65%. Home broadcast viewership jumped by 73%. These are not lucky numbers. These are the results of a leader who knows how to connect an athletics program to a community – and a community to a program,” Keen continued. 

During his nearly seven years at Lipscomb, McMillian oversaw all areas of the school’s athletics external and revenue-generating units. He also was administrator for men’s and women’s golf, the cheer program, women’s basketball and men’s soccer, and he coordinated the department’s first ever “Giving Day” campaign, in which over $100,000 was raised in one day for a new fueling and nutrition center for the student-athletes.

In addition to those roles, he also served on Lipscomb’s staff leadership council and oversaw six departmental budgets. 

Head softball coach Melissa Brocato, who has served as interim Director of Athletics since December 2025, said during McMillian’s interview, she was struck by how genuine, honest and transparent he was, which she believes will translate well to the community outreach. 

“We all know that Augusta is a relational community, and relationships are key,” Brocato said. “For him to already know and value that and see the importance of that, getting out in the community and getting them to buy into what we’re doing in athletics and see the value that it brings, I think is huge.  

“He hadn’t started yet but said he wanted to meet with all the staff individually, and I think that says a lot as far as his intentionality and being a real go-getter. He seems very engaged when you’re talking to him or when you hear him talk about his vision.” 

Throughout his nearly 10-minute speech, McMillian shared the importance of connecting with the community and getting it involved with athletics. In his opinion, that relationship means everything, and he said everything about his position is intended to be collaborative on and off campus.  

“That’s my role in external. … You can’t do it on your own so it’s going to be essential to be out in the community. One, so they know who we are and what we have to offer, but two, so we can listen and meet their needs. We can’t just assume what everyone wants.” 

McMillian said he still felt connected to the Augusta area after all these years. He shared with his wife that it would be a great place to raise their family. When the AD opportunity arose, he was excited with everything he saw and the shared vision with Keen.

Keen called McMillian the conductor for the “A-Train” as he now takes over an AU program that features 15 intercollegiate sports, two of which – men’s and women’s golf – compete at the Division I level in the West Coast Conference. 

June 15 was McMillian’s first day physically onsite, but he had been very proactive over the last month, meeting with community leaders, the Peach Belt Conference, fans, alumni and faculty and staff. They’ve identified areas that require attention but said the athletics department train “has left the station.” 

“It is full speed ahead, and everyone’s poised to jump in,” he said. “I very much am aware and in tune with the student population. I want to do everything I can for this to be an attractive place. I think athletics is an important part of the student experience. It really helps with pride, and so I want to do everything I can to just kind of build as many bridges as possible.”