Report: Bucs Have A New Special Teams Coordinator

February 7th, 2024

New Bucs special teams coordinator Thomas McGaughey.

It appears the Bucs may have their replacement for retired special teams coordinator Keith Armstrong.

Bucs coach Todd Bowles has hired former Giants special teams coordinator Thomas McGaughey.

That’s the word from Giants beat writer Jordan Raanan of BSPN.com.

Joe isn’t sure if this is a good thing or a bad thing. Per respected veteran NFL scribe Rick Gosselin and his annual special teams rankings, Giants special teams were worse than the Bucs’ in 2023. Gosselin ranked the Giants No. 23. In 2022 Gosselin had the Giants ranked No. 28.

Good thing the Bucs have a really good kicker and punter. Otherwise, this hire could cost the Bucs.

McGaughey spent the past six seasons with the Giants.

37 Responses to “Report: Bucs Have A New Special Teams Coordinator”

  1. DavidBigBucsFan99 Says:

    Is because Blowles is going with the status bro???

  2. Popcorn Mike Says:

    This sounds as bad as the rumored OL hire K Carberry. However, I didn’t realize that he Carberry, worked with D Marrone last year in New Orleans who was just let go. Is that’s why we haven’t heard much about Carberry because the Bucs are working on hiring Marrone also? I hear Marrone is a pretty decent OL coach

  3. Davenport Says:

    Jesus This is the best that they could do?

  4. AlabamaBucsFan Says:

    Bucs have a Good Kicker? Chase Mclaughlin is a free agent and has yet to commit to the Bucs.

  5. I remember 21 Says:

    Unbelievable. We finally flush the turd that Armstrong has been all these years and now this. Please someone tell me what the selling point was for this guy. If Joe doesn’t bother to mention it, I’m not sure it exists. Looks like instead of a new job, he should be out of the league. Just ANOTHER reason keeping bowles is gonna cost us. God this guy has an uncanny knack for always making the wrong decision. I was really hoping for the guy from Iowa. They’ve had beastly special teams for years, guy has worked his way up, we’d be giving him his first NFL coaching job… But I guess something about him didn’t jive with bowles. So back to the bottom of the league in non-kicker related ST. Well, good thing we’ll be scoring so many points it won’t matter. 🤣🤣🤣

  6. Capt.Tim Says:

    A Coach is handicapped by the players hes given.
    A great coach can have horrible players.

    I trust our front office.
    Welcome Coach!

    Now we GOTTA sign McLaughlin! That guy is fantastic!
    Finally have both kicking positions filled!

  7. Popcorn Mike Says:

    It looks like McCaughey was keep on staff with the Giants by 3 different HCs so he much have been a decent ST coach.

  8. Stanglassman Says:

    McGaughey had been the special teams coordinator with the Giants from 2018-23. Before that, he held the same role with the Carolina Panthers (2016-17), the San Francisco 49ers (2015), and the New York Jets (2014). Prior to that, he was the special teams coordinator at LSU (2011-2013).

    Looks like a good hire.

  9. Stanglassman Says:

    Hopefully he keeps Keith Tandy around. I think he’s a good young coach. I’m not sure if he’s ready to be a STs coach at this point but I’d hate to lose him.

  10. Dave Pear Says:

    This dude sucks. ONG.

    Bring back Armweak.

  11. SlyPirate Says:

    That dude looks like Ming from the original Flash Gordon movie. He should totally rock a fu man chu.

  12. Jake been there since the beginning Says:

    Wow 😲, we thought it was bad when guys were returning kicks and punts past the 50.maybe now it will be our offense against another teams, special teams and offense. As the Bucs world turns.

  13. BakerFan Says:

    By this time he should be an excellent Coach in the special teams environment or moved to take on greater roles such as DC or OC. Looks like he has done neither on the surface, but I don’t know all the ins and outs with this guy. Time will tell.

  14. Oddball Says:

    Dang it Sly, now I can’t unsee it!

  15. IE Buc Says:

    Anyone is better than Armstrong, but it’s not exactly a home run hire. You should always be in the top 10 when it comes to your side of the ball.

    Chris Tabor from the Panthers was available and it was reported he had a good 2023 ST unit along with doing a good interim HC job.

  16. Danbucsfan Says:

    Hopefully we run a fake punt or 2 this year, I can’t recall the last time we did a fake punt 😂

  17. Lakeland Steve Says:

    Wow, really underwhelmed by this Special Teams coach pick and the new offensive line coach. On paper at least they appear to be a step down from what we lost. Hope they turn out to be good hires but it just doesn’t feel right.

  18. adam from ny Says:

    and he’s a salty looking dude…

    i like that…lol

    everyone can’t be a happy camper…we need some pissed off dudes running around one buc too

  19. Dave Pear Says:

    Ok I’m off the ledge.

    — we will fair catch every pint and kickoff
    — we never even try to block a punt
    — we won’t ever fake another punt after the Be gals fiasco

    Really doesn’t matter as long as he doesn’t screw with Chase or Camarda

  20. Jack Clark Says:

    Hey Joe, you gonna write an article about how Rachaad White is ranked #11 best running back in the NFL according to the official NFL website? 😆

  21. Joe Says:

    Hey Joe, you gonna write an article about how Rachaad White is ranked #11 best running back in the NFL according to the official NFL website? 😆

    That’s not saying much unless they heavily weigh receiving much more than running.

  22. BUCman Says:

    Seriously……this is the best they could get?????

  23. unbelievable Says:

    Wow, they managed to find someone worse than Armstrong? That’s impressive.

  24. Tbbucs3 Says:

    If he can get the Bucs just 1 kick or punt return TD he’ll be worth it….

    It gets boring watching 3 yard punt returns…..

    The Bucs havent had a punt return TD since 2009

  25. Reality BucFan Says:

    Sounds exactly like a Move The Bucs would make. NOT surprised at all

  26. BucsFan81 Says:

    Nice to see that Bowles is brining in people more on his level. Pretty sure this coaching staff is going to canned after next year unless Baker and rest of these players can save the coaches again.

  27. go dawgs Says:

    season is over… tank for carson beck 2025

  28. go dawgs Says:

    I am going to give up coming to this site next year as soon as I see the new st coach miss a fg in a game and the new Oline coach get beat on an edge rush… GEEZ..the offseason…uggh

  29. Jvato24 Says:

    Why Not Rich Bassacia??? And why has that guy not gotten any head coach interviews??? Baffling

  30. Cover deuce Says:

    “Joe isn’t sure if this is a good or bad thing.” Insightful as always!

  31. Drunk Bucs Fan Says:

    I love how everyone knows this is a bad hire, because random fan site comment posters are well known to be experts in their depth of knowledge in the area of special teams coaches.

    “He sucks because…..numbers!”

    Legit kudos to Jvato and IE Buc, however. They came with names of people they would rather see.

  32. Usedtocould Says:

    Bummer, I wish they would have gone young and energetic, like the last two OCs. Flip side is we don’t have to worry about this guy bolting for a HC job.

  33. FLBoyInDallas Says:

    I didn’t realize Charles Barkley could coach special teams.

  34. ScottyMack Says:

    Ranked based on what? Does the ranking include such things as avg punt distance, field goal and extra point percentage made, kickoff touchbacks? If so, those things are mostly kicker-specific stats. The only stats that matter to me for a special teams coordinator are return yards – both as the kicking team and the receiving team.

  35. Allbuccedup Says:

    Bowles speed!!!!

  36. Carolina K Says:

    Welcome C Lo Green

  37. Kidfloflo Says:

    As much as we need to sign Baker, Mike, Winfield etc. I truly believe that Mclaughlin might be an equally important resign! Kid was money all year! J.L. knows how important the position is by drafing a kicker in the second round. Got to get this done asap