Thomas McGaughey enters his first season as special teams coordinator with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2024.
McGaughey joined Tampa Bay with 17 years of NFL coaching experience, including nine as a special teams coordinator for the New York Giants (2018-23), Carolina Panthers (2016-17), San Francisco 49ers (2015) and New York Jets (2014). He held previous roles in the NFL as an assistant special teams coach with the Giants (2007-10), Denver Broncos (2005-06) and Kansas City Chiefs (2002). In addition, McGaughey spent six total seasons coaching in the collegiate ranks at Louisiana State University (2011-13) and the University of Houston (1997, 2003-04).
Over the past six seasons with the Giants, McGaughey has found success working with the kicker position as New York ranked sixth from 2018-23 in team field goal percentage (87.1%). From 50 yards or more, the Giants converted 29-of-38 field goal attempts during that span, ranking second in 50+-yard field goal percentage (76.3%) and fourth in total 50+-yard field goals made. In 2022 alone, Graham Gano set a new single-season franchise record with eight 50+-yard field goals made, while in 2018, McGaughey coached Aldrick Rosas to a franchise record for single-season field goal percentage (97.0%), earning him his first Pro Bowl selection. Former NFL safety Michael Thomas also reached the Pro Bowl in 2018 under McGaughey's guidance, leading the team with nine special teams tackles.
From 2018-23, McGaughey's special teams group also ranked fifth in the NFL in fewest opponent yards per kick return (21.2) and ninth in fewest opponent yards per punt return (7.8).
McGaughey was a member of the coaching staff for the Super Bowl XLII championship team in 2007 during his initial stint with the Giants. The following year, all three specialists earned Pro Bowl recognition under McGaughey: kicker John Carney, punter/holder Jeff Feagles and long snapper Zak DeOssie.
In his playing career, McGaughey spent time with the Cincinnati Bengals and Philadelphia Eagles in 1996 prior to landing with the Barcelona Dragons of NFL Europe in 1997, winning the World Bowl that season.
McGaughey was a two-sport athlete at the University of Houston (1991-95), competing in both football and track and field. He was named a special teams captain on the football team in his senior season. Following his playing career, McGaughey returned to Houston as a graduate assistant in 1997 before taking a job as the defensive backs and special teams coach at Willowridge High School (Houston) from 1998-2001.
McGaughey has two sons, Thomas (Trey) and Trenton, and one daughter, Taylor.
