The Bucs have been busy on Thursday interviewing coaches to fill the special teams coordinator role.
After news broke that Tampa Bay virtually interviewed Ravens assistant special teams coach Anthony Levine Sr., it was reported that they had also met with Eagles special teams coordinator Michael Clay after getting permission from Philadelphia.
The #Buccaneers interviewed #Eagles special-teams coordinator Michael Clay for the same role today, sources said. Philly gave Tampa permission to interview Clay. pic.twitter.com/GmuxG2DIEb
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) January 15, 2026
Michael Clay Already Has Plenty Of Experience In Special Teams Coordinator Role
What is of note and works in Michael Clay’s favor for the Bucs special teams coordinator role is that he has worked in the same role with the Eagles for the past five seasons.
Despite being just 34 years old, Clay has spent a decade in the NFL after starting with Philadelphia as a defensive quality control coach in 2014. He moved over to the special teams side as an assistant special teams coach in 2015, before spending five seasons with 49ers, including four as an assistant special teams coach.
Eagles special teams coordinator Michael Clay – Photo by: IMAGN Images – Mark J. Rebilas
During his second stint with the Eagles, Clay has helped the team advance to two Super Bowls in that span and hoist the Lombardi Trophy last year. Following the 2023 season, in which Philadelphia ranked in the top 10 in 10 separate special teams categories, he received a contract extension. That year, the Eagles ranked first in special teams DVOA and had the NFL’s fifth-highest grade by Pro Football Focus.
Last year, the Eagles’ won it all largely on the back of kicker Jake Elliott, who set a Super Bowl record scoring 16 points himself while setting franchise records for most points (43), made kicks (23) and field goals (10) during a single postseason.
After Elliott’s big year, he substantially regressed this past season, converting just 20 of 27 (74.1%) of his field goal attempts. A lot of kicker’s struggles are mental rather than physical, but even still, he was just 11 of 18 (61.1%) from 40 yards and beyond, which is concerning. Philadelphia’s punting game was a lot stronger, though, with Braden Mann averaging 49.9 yards per punt with a 43.1 net yard punting average. Mann also pinned 20 of his 72 punts (27.8%) inside the opponent’s 20-yard line.
Michael Clay had a brief playing career with Oregon before going undrafted in 2013. He signed with the Dolphins as an undrafted free agent but did not survive the final roster cuts. Clay is surely hoping for better success at finding a special teams coordinator role, as he is not under contract next season. It appears that he will not return to the Eagles as they make their own coaching changes, but he could land on his feet in Tampa Bay.
Bucs P Riley Dixon – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR
Michael Clay Is Another Experienced, Young Candidate For Bucs To Consider
Clay’s experience, youth, and playing background as a linebacker provide optimism that he could provide the right change in philosophy for a Bucs special teams group looking for an overhaul across the board in 2026, especially in terms of consistent punting and improved kick coverage. Ironically enough, he oversaw Philadelphia’s efforts in blocking a Riley Dixon punt back in Week 4, which proved to be the difference in a 31-25 win.
Clay is now the fourth candidate to interview for the Bucs’ special teams coordinator job, following Lions assistant special teams coach Jett Modkins, Dolphins special teams coordinator Craig Aukerman, and Ravens assistant special teams coach Anthony Levine Sr.
— Information from the Bucs Communications team was used in this story.
Adam Slivon has covered the Bucs for four seasons with PewterReport.com as a Bucs Beat Writer, Social Media Manager, and Podcaster. Adam started as an intern during his time at the University of Tampa, where he graduated with a degree in Sport Management in May 2023.
In addition to his regular written content, he appears every Thursday on the Pewter Report Podcast, has a weekly YouTube Top 10 Takeaways video series, and leads the managing of the site's social media platforms.
As a Wisconsin native, he spent his childhood growing up on a farm and enjoys Culver's, kringle, and a quality game of cornhole. You can find him most often on X @AdamLivsOn.
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