McMillen bleeds heavy Panther blue

Greenbrier’s B.J. McMillen bleeds Panther blue, through and through.

McMillen, 29, has been an assistant coach on Greenbrier’s high school football staff for 17 years, starting when he was in the seventh grade. If there was any such thing as an adopted son of Greenbrier, then McMillen would, without a doubt, be that guy. 

“B.J. is special to this football program,” Greenbrier coach Randy Tribble said. “All of the guys love him, and he loves all of the guys. He treats the guys nice, and they treat him nice.”

According to Greenbrier athletic director Steve Wood, McMillen is the coach with the longest tenure on the staff. 

I’ve been around every football team in Faulkner County for quite some time now, including Greenbrier’s. McMillen is one of the classiest guys around. B.J. is the same type of guy all the time, bringing a ton of energy to practices and game days. He wants the best for Greenbrier and its football program at all times. His love for the players and the school has put him on celebrity status with players and friends.

“B.J. gives a speech at every one of our pep rallies,” Wood said. “The kids just love him. Before he gives his speech, the whole student body chants ‘B.J., B.J., B.J..’ He is so special to this program, and there’s absolutely nobody that loves Greenbrier more than B.J. He’s been through the good and the bad of this program.”

At Greenbrier’s last home playoff game in which the Panthers recorded a 54-50 over Little Rock Christian in the second round, it was announced before the overflow crowd at Don Jones Stadium that B.J. would be the Grand Marshal of Greenbrier’s Christmas Parade.

“Also, since I’ve become the athletic director, B.J. has been the assistant athletic director. He loves to tell people that too,” Wood said, while flashing a smile. “So he’s a big help to me on game days getting things ready.” 

B.J. has more than earned his headset and play-calling sheet on Friday nights. He just doesn’t show up on the sidelines on game nights. B.J. makes all of the spring and summer practices, 7-on-7 competitions and fall practices and games. So he’s just not out on the football field taking up space and getting in the way. He has a job to do, and he does it with 100 percent effort and commitment.

For all of you that know B.J., his favorite person in the world may be Greenbrier offensive coordinator Todd Langrell. When asked, what person did he (B.J.) want to be, he responded, “Langrell, because he gets to call the plays.

I’ll repeat what Greenbrier’s public announcer Larry Flake said at that last home game. B.J. is the epitome of Greenbrier sports.

(Michael Allen is a staff writer for the Log Cabin Democrat. He can be reached at mike.allen@thecabin.net or 505-1234.)