The Tampa Bay Buccaneers continue to expand their dance card as they hunt for two new coordinators on Todd Bowles' coaching staff. On Thursday, the Buccaneers conducted a virtual interview with Philadelphia Eagles Special Teams Coordinator for their own opening in that same category. The Buccaneers are seeking to replace Thomas McGaughey, with whom the team parted ways on January 8 following two seasons on the job.
Clay has been the Eagles' special teams coordinator for the past five seasons, helping the team advance to two Super Bowls in that span and win the league championship last year. After his initial hire by the Eagles in 2021 he received a contract extension following the 2023 season, in which Philadelphia ranked in the top 10 in 10 separate special teams categories. That year, the Eagles ranked first in special teams DVOA, had the NFL's fifth-highest grade by Pro Football Focus and was 10th in Rick Gosselin's annual composite rankings of special teams output.
Last year, the Eagles' kicking crew proved to be a winning edge in the team's postseason run to victory in Super Bowl LIX. Kicker Jake Elliott set a Super Bowl record with 16 kicking points and set franchise records for most points (43), made kicks (23) and field goals (10) during a single postseason.
Clay's current stint with the Eagles is his second, after he started his coaching career as a defensive quality control coach with Philadelphia in 2014. He moved over to his current specialty a year later, serving as the Eagles' assistant special teams coach. Clay then spent five seasons with the San Francisco 49ers, four of them as an assistant special teams coach.
Clay is the fourth candidate to interview for the Buccaneers' special teams post, following Detroit Lions Assistant Special Teams Coach Jett Modkins, Miami Dolphins Special Teams Coordinator Craig Aukerman and Baltimore Ravens Assistant Special Teams Coach Anthony Levine Sr.
