During Friday night’s preseason loss to the Detroit Lions at Ford Field, New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll was caught on camera glaring angrily at special teams coordinator Thomas McGaughey.
The viral moment came after Lions wide receiver Maurice Alexander Jr. fielded a punt and returned it 95 yards to the house. The score and subsequent two-point conversion trimmed the Giants’ lead to 13-11.
Brian Daboll’s 👀 at Giants special teams coordinator Thomas McGaughey after that 94-yard punt return for a TD by the Lions. 🥶 pic.twitter.com/PWEo5Bk9yL
— Ralph Vacchiano (@RalphVacchiano) August 12, 2023
Despite the glare, Daboll insists there are no lingering issues with McGaughey and that he has nothing but love for the coordinator.
“Non-issue. I’m a competitive guy, we’re all competitive, we’re in a competitive environment. I hold everybody, not just T-Mac, myself, and everybody else, to a high standard,” Daboll told reporters during a Zoom call on Saturday. “Love T-Mac.”
McGaughey also laughed off the viral moment, saying he and Daboll didn’t even discuss it after the game. In his mind, it was a non-issue.
“Let’s just address the 700-pound gorilla in the room,” T-Mac said in an opening statement to reporters on Tuesday. “We all know Dabes is intense and on gameday that’s him. It’s not a big deal. It’s happened before. That’s just part of the game.
“He’s an intense guy (and) we have no issues. That’s just part of football.”
McGaughey has been the Giants’ special teams coordinator since 2018, spanning the coaching tenures of Pat Shurmur, Steve Spagnuolo (interim), Joe Judge, and now Daboll. He also served as the team’s assistant special teams coordinator from 2007-2010, picking up a championship ring as part of the Super Bowl XLII team.
Under McGaughey in 2022, the Giants did not allow a punt or kickoff to be returned for a touchdown and Daboll would prefer if that trend continued in 2023.
McGaughey undoubtedly agrees.
[lawrence-related id=713740,713737,713736]
[affiliatewidget_smgtolocal]