The Bucs have hired their offensive coordinator, but that doesn’t mean they’re finished assembling their coaching
staff. Bucs team reporter Scott Smith revealed that the Bucs interviewed former Giants special teams coordinator
Thomas McGaughey on Friday, February 1, and Craig Aukerman, former Titans special teams coordinator, on
Monday.
Keith Armstrong, the special teams coordinator, retired last week, leaving an opening for the post. Armstrong joined
Bruce Arians in 2019 and remained in the position for five seasons.
It’s safe to say that McGaughey has been around the block since his two-year NFL playing career ended. He started
in 1998 as a graduate assistant at his alma school, the University of Houston. He began his career with the Kansas
City Chiefs on the Bill Walsh Miniority Fellowship in 2001, and was promoted to assistant special teams coordinator
in 2002. McGaughey returned to Houston in 2003 and 2004, although he acquired more experience as the special
teams coordinator.
As time passed, McGaughey became more of a fixture and source of continuity. After two seasons with the Broncos,
he spent four years as the Giants’ assistant special teams coordinator. McGaughey was on the Giants’ coaching staff
when they upset Tom Brady and the unbeaten Patriots in Super Bowl XLII.
McGaughey nearly crossed paths with Bucs head coach Todd Bowles at the Jets while attending LSU from 2011 to
2013. McGaughey was the Jets’ special teams coordinator for one season in 2014, before Bowles took over as head
coach in 2015.
McGaughey’s coaching career included stints as special teams coordinator for the 49ers, Panthers, and Giants. Last
year, injuries ruined the Giants’ special teams, and McGaughey was released a day after the regular season finale.
