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Former Giants STC Thomas McGaughey Lands in Tampa

McGaughey gets a fresh start in the NFC South after six seasons in New York.

Former New York Giants special teams coordinator Thomas McGaughey, fired by head coach Brian Daboll after two years on his staff and six straight seasons in which he worked for three different head coaches, has been hired by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to be their special team's coordinator.

The 50-year-old McGaughey, who also had a stint on the Giants coaching staff in 2007-2010 as the team's assistant special teams coordinator, replaces Keith Armstrong, who retired after the 2023 season. 

McGaughey's Giants special teams units suffered inconsistency during his six-year stint in charge of the group. Part of the problem was due to injuries on the team which necessitated core special teamers being pulled for the unit to staff offensive and defensive lineups. 

But there were other problems where the units weren't maintaining lane integrity or were caught napping to trick plays. According to NFL analyst Rick Gosselin, who compiles annual data ranking the 32 special teams units in the league, the Giants finished tied for 23rd overall (with Carolina) but were tied for the top spot in takeaways. 

McGaughey also drew interest from the Tennessee Titans for their special teams coordinator role.