Thomas McGaughey enters 10th year with Giants despite regime changes

Greater than most, Thomas McGaughey understands this to be true, often. 

“When there’s change, there’s change,” he mentioned. 

Sure, certainly. When an NFL head coach is proven the door, a lot of the employees he employed follows in line behind him. The brand new head coach is available in and handpicks the assistants that may work for him till the subsequent firing-hiring cycle takes maintain. 

Thus it was for Joe Choose and most of his employees after the 2021 season. Simply because it was for Pat Shurmur and most of his employees after the 2019 season. These days, the top coach of the Giants is a transient place. Signal a five-year contract, make it via solely two of these years, rinse and repeat. It's a horrible strategy to do enterprise and a giant motive why the Giants have been so horrible the previous 5 years. 

The modifications that ushered in additional change bypassed McGaughey, the favored particular groups coordinator. There's something about him and the Giants that simply is not going to give up. 

Giants special teams coach Thomas McGaughey answers questions from the media during OTAs in East Rutherford, N.J. on Thursday, May 19, 2022
Giants particular groups coach Thomas McGaughey solutions questions from the media throughout OTAs.
Noah Okay. Murray/New York Publish

He was an assistant particular groups coordinator for Tom Coughlin with the Giants from 2007-10, successful a Tremendous Bowl. He ran the particular groups at LSU and for the Jets, 49ers and Panthers. He returned to the Giants in 2018 to run the particular groups for Shurmur and did his job regardless of present process surgical procedure and chemotherapy therapies for most cancers found in his bowel duct and lymph nodes. 

Two years later, McGaughey withstood Choose’s distinctive scrutiny — Choose had an intensive particular groups background from his years with the Patriots — and was retained. It was telling that Choose signed off on preserving McGaughey, slightly than bringing in his personal man. 

When Brian Daboll was employed, he might have discovered a particular groups coordinator from considered one of his many earlier NFL stops and but he determined McGaughey — somebody he by no means labored with — may very well be entrusted with an necessary position on his first Giants’ employees. 

“I’m blissful to be again right here,” McGaughey mentioned after a current organized workforce exercise observe. “Clearly, this is occurring my tenth yr right here, so anytime I can placed on this purple, white and blue, I’m excited.” 

There have to be a secret to this longevity, because it goes towards the percentages to outlive in a single job regardless of upheaval throughout him. 

Giants wide receiver Kadarius Toney (89) walks with special teams coordinator Thomas McGaughey at practice, Thursday, Oct. 14, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J.
Giants broad receiver Kadarius Toney (89) walks with particular groups coordinator Thomas McGaughey at observe final season.
Corey Sipkin/New York Publish

“You realize, all I try to do is deal with individuals proper and do my job,” McGaughey mentioned. “To me, I believe that’s the underside line. I believe you deal with the individuals within the constructing, you deal with your self the best means, you try to be nearly as good a servant as you may to the group, and that’s simply been my mentality, simply attempting to assist out guys and provides. What you give grows; what you retain, you lose. So I try to give as a lot as I can to all people round me.” 

Amiable, personable, a straight-shooter and utterly snug across the gamers and the media, McGaughey, 49, is a welcoming presence within the constructing and the locker room. None of this could matter a lot until he was not proficient in what he will get paid to perform. Tucked inside a brutal 4-13 season was some solid-to-excellent manufacturing from McGaughey’s items. The Giants had been considered one of solely 4 groups that didn't quit any unfavourable performs (blocked kick, turnover or landing) on particular groups. Essentially the most complete annual evaluation of particular groups, compiled by former Dallas sportswriter Rick Gosselin, put the Giants No. 10 within the 2021 NFL in particular groups rankings. 

This was not all the results of kicker Graham Gano’s experience (he made 29 of his 33 field-goal makes an attempt). The Giants had been tops in kickoff protection, permitting a league-low 17.8 yards per return, thanks not solely to Gano’s ball-placement but additionally strong protection down the sphere. 

Clearly, Daboll didn't see a motive to repair what was not damaged. 

Daboll didn't are available insisting on all types of alterations to the particular groups operation. 

“I imply, it’s sort of extra of the identical,” McGaughey mentioned. 

Gano returns however the Giants after 4 years have a brand new punter, former Browns participant Jamie Gillan, a left-footer referred to as the Scottish Hammer. As traditional, McGaughey should sift via a number of choices earlier than he finds appropriate kickoff and punt returners. 

Kadarius Toney as a rookie struggled to remain on the sphere and was given just one punt return all season. May that change? 

“Clearly that’s one of many the reason why he’s right here,” McGaughey mentioned. “KT is a brilliant gifted man. With the ball in his arms, he’s dynamic. Once more, it’ll be enjoyable simply to see these guys compete for a spot.” 

One newcomer, rookie receiver Wan’Dale Robinson, a second-round choose, must be within the combine. 

“Positively an choice,” McGaughey mentioned. 

A method or one other McGaughey often makes it work, for whichever head coach is on the scene.

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