Thomas McGaughey facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Thomas McGaughey

McGaughey in 2021
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Position:	Special teams coordinator
Personal information
Born:	(1973-05-08) May 8, 1973 (age 52) Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Career information
College:	Houston
Undrafted:	1996
Career history
As player:
Texas Terror (1996) Cincinnati Bengals (1996)* Philadelphia Eagles (1996–1997)* Barcelona Dragons (1997) Houston ThunderBears (1998)
As coach:
Houston (1998) Graduate assistant Kansas City Chiefs (2001) Bill Walsh Minority Fellowship Kansas City Chiefs (2002) Assistant special teams coordinator Houston (2003) Special teams coordinator Houston (2004) Special teams coordinator & cornerbacks coach Denver Broncos (2005–2006) Assistant special teams coordinator New York Giants (2007–2010) Assistant special teams coordinator LSU (2011–2013) Special teams coordinator & defensive assistant New York Jets (2014) Special teams coordinator San Francisco 49ers (2015) Special teams coordinator Carolina Panthers (2016–2017) Special teams coordinator New York Giants (2018–2023) Special teams coordinator Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2024–present) Special teams coordinator
Career highlights and awards
Super Bowl champion (XLII) NFL Europe’s World Bowl (1997)

Thomas McGaughey, born on May 8, 1973, is an American football coach. He used to play football too! Today, he works as the special teams coordinator for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the National Football League (NFL). He has also coached special teams for other NFL teams like the Carolina Panthers, San Francisco 49ers, New York Jets, and New York Giants.

Playing Football

McGaughey played as a defensive back for the University of Houston from 1991 to 1995. He was the special teams captain in his final year. After college, McGaughey played for the Cincinnati Bengals in 1996 and the Philadelphia Eagles in 1997 in the NFL. In 1997, he won the World Bowl with the Barcelona Dragons in NFL Europe.

Coaching Career

McGaughey started his coaching journey with the University of Houston in 1998. He was a graduate assistant, helping out the team.

Early NFL Coaching Roles

In 2002, he became an assistant special teams coach for the Kansas City Chiefs. Before that, he spent a year as an intern with them. After his time with the Chiefs, he went back to Houston to be their special teams coordinator.

McGaughey then worked for the Denver Broncos as an assistant special teams coordinator in 2005 and 2006. From 2007 to 2010, he held the same role for the New York Giants. During his first year with the Giants, the team won Super Bowl XLII! They beat the New England Patriots 17-14 in an exciting game.

Leading Special Teams

McGaughey became the special teams coordinator for LSU in 2011 and stayed there until 2013. After that, he coached special teams for several NFL teams:

• The New York Jets in 2014.
• The San Francisco 49ers in 2015.
• The Carolina Panthers from 2016 to 2017.

Return to the New York Giants

On February 11, 2022, McGaughey returned to the New York Giants as their special teams coordinator. In his first season back, the Giants' special teams finished 28th in the league. The 2023 season was tough for the team's special teams due to many player injuries. McGaughey left the team on January 8, 2024.

Coaching the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

On February 7, 2024, McGaughey was hired by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He is currently their special teams coordinator for the 2024 season and beyond.

About Thomas McGaughey

McGaughey is married to Erika, and they have three children: a son named Thomas McGaughey III, a daughter named Taylor, and another son named Trent. In May 2020, he was diagnosed with a type of cancer called periampullary cancer.