Incoming New York Giants head coach Joe Judge is making some wise choices even before being introduced to the media and fans. Several sources are reporting that Judge, quite the special teams guru himself, is retaining Thomas McGaughey as the special team coordinator.
McGaughey was clearly the best of the three coordinators on Pat Shurmur’s staff.
Source tells @SiriusXMNFL that new @Giants HC Joe Judge is keeping Thomas McGaughey as NY's special teams coordinator. More on the G-Men from 7-11 pm ET tonight with @kirkmorrison & me on Channel 88!
— Alex Marvez (@alexmarvez) January 9, 2020
McGaughey was one of the most effective assistants on Shurmur’s staff, as his units on special teams consistently performed at a high level. He also is a popular presence in the building, which is why he has survived major coaching upheaval. He was an assistant special teams coach for Tom Coughlin from 2007 to 2010 and ran the special teams for the Jets, 49ers and Panthers before returning to the Giants in 2018 to work under Shurmur.
The Giants in 2019 finished in the top five in kickoff return average and kickoff coverage and in the top 10 in net punting average.
It was likely suggested to Judge he keep McGaughey by general manager Dave Gettleman, who has a long association with McGaughey both here with the Giants and down in Carolina.