On Wednesday the Jets filled what should be the final vacancy on their coaching staff. The team brought in Thomas McGaughey who has been serving as the special teams coach and defensive assistant for LSU for the past three years. He will be filling the role of special teams coordinator for the Jets in 2014.
McGaughey is no stranger to New York as he was an assistant special teams coordinator with the Giants in 2008. He filled that position from 2007-2010. Prior to that he had coached for both the Chiefs and the Broncos.
His stint at LSU was arguably McGaughey's most impressive to date. Their special teams unit perenially ranked near the top in the nation.
It had been rumored that McGaughey was the leading candidate for this job, but the team would not confirm this. The decision was not announced until after national signing day, this was to ensure that there was not an adverse affect on the Tigers recruiting class.
McGaughey's expertise can only help the Jets as they head into a critical season. They play in what is almost always one of the most competitive divisions in football and every phase of the game needs to be in top form to compete for a division title.
Although the Jets were not bad on special teams last year, there is a good deal of room for improvement. Kicker Nick Folk had an excellent season, but the rest of the unit had some low points. McGaughey will look to strengthen all phases of the kicking and return games next season.
