Another coach has been added to the staff as the Bucs have hired Thomas McGaughey to be their next special teams coordinator, per Jordan Raanan of ESPN. McGaughey had interviewed with the Bucs on Friday, February 2, as Tampa Bay ended up interviewing six candidates.

Former special teams coordinator Keith Armstrong had retired, leaving an opening for the position. He was previously the Giants special teams coordinator from 2018 to 2023.

Thomas McGaughey Coaching History 

It’s safe to say the McGaughey has been around the block after his two-year NFL playing career came to an end. He began in 1998 as a graduate assistant at his alma mater, the University of Houston. In 2001 he started with the Kansas City Chiefs on the Bill Walsh Miniority Fellowship, getting upgraded to assistant special teams coordinator in 2002. McGaughey went back to Houston for 2003 and 2004, but gained more experience as he became the special teams coordinator.

Bucs ST Coordinator Thomas McGaughey: Photo by: USA Today

McGaughey began to have more of a mainstay and continuity as the years went on. Following two season with the Broncos, he had his first stint with the Giants for four years as their assistant special teams coordinator. In that time McGaughey was on the coaching staff when the Giants beat Tom Brady and the undefeated Patriots in Super Bowl XLII.

Going back to the college ranks at LSU from 2011-2013, McGaughey narrowly missed crossing paths with Bucs head coach Todd Bowles at the Jets. McGaughey was with the Jets for one season as the special teams coordinator in 2014 and Bowles took over as head coach in 2015.

McGaughey went on to be the special teams coordinator for the 49ers, Panthers and again with the Giants to round out his coaching career. Injuries derailed the Giants on special teams last year and McGaughey was let go a day after the regular season finale.

Bucs Retaining Keith Tandy

Staying on the coaching staff will be assistant special teams coach Keith Tandy, per ESPN’s Jenna Laine. The former Buc interviewed for the special teams coordinator role that ultimately went to McGaughey. Tandy joined the Bucs as a coach in 2020 and was on staff for the Super Bowl LV win. He’s been in the same role ever since and will go into his fifth year coaching.

Bucs’ Special Teams Plans

Every year players come and go on the coverage aspect of special teams. The Bucs do know they have a good one with Josh Hayes, who was a late round draft pick last season.

The Bucs also know they have a good thing with punter Jake Camarda, who has one of the stronger legs in the league and is quite athletic. Camarda will look to build on his great season and potentially win some more accolades.

Bucs K Chase McLaughlin – Photo by: USA Today

If all goes well, the Bucs would love to re-sign kicker Chase McLaughlin. He was automatic this season hitting all of his extra points and hitting all but three kicks on the year. Two were blocked, however, the last came in a crucial time during the divisional round playoff game when the Bucs were at the Lions. McLaughlin was asked to constantly boot kicks from beyond 50 yards, sometimes going as high as 57 yards, hitting them with ease.

It’ll be curious to see if the Bucs decide to do anything in the return game. Deven Thompkins as a returner was solid, averaging 10.2 yards per punt return in 2022 and 9.4 punt returns in 2023. His kick returns were similar, averaging 21.9 in 2022 and 20.4 in 2023.

While Thompkins has been fine, the Bucs may have another in-house option in 2024 with Trey Palmer. There’s no question that Palmer has tremendous breakaway speed, which was best noticed on his 56-yard catch and run for a touchdown against the Eagles in the wild card round of the playoffs.

It’s an intriguing option that the Bucs may go to. But that depends on what McGaughey wants to do. This has been a busy week for the Bucs and new coaches. Offensive coordinator Liam Coen had his introductory press conference on Tuesday, Kevin Carberry was hired as offensive line coach later that night and McGaughey was hired the very next day.