Special teams coordinator

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A special teams coordinator (STC) is a coach responsible for a gridiron football team's special teams unit. [1] [2] Generally, the special teams coordinator, offensive coordinator, and defensive coordinator represent the second level of a team's coaching structure, with the head coach being the first level. The primary role of the special teams coordinator is managing the roster of special teams players, overseeing the assistant coaches, developing the special teams game plan, and calling plays for the special teams during the game.

Contents

Unlike offensive or defensive coordinators, special teams do not usually employ individual position coaches, so special teams coordinators are directly responsible for the management and development of a team's kickers, kickoff specialists, punters, holders, long snappers, return specialists, upbacks, gunners, and jammers.

List of current NFL special teams coordinators

AFC
TeamCoordinatorSincePrevious coaching position
AFC East
Buffalo Bills Chris Tabor 2025 [3] Carolina Panthers special teams coordinator (2022 – 2023)
Miami Dolphins Craig Aukerman 2025 [4] Tennessee Titans special teams coordinator (2018 – 2023)
New England Patriots Jeremy Springer 2024 [5] Los Angeles Rams assistant special teams coach (2022 – 2023)
New York Jets Chris Banjo 2025 [6] Denver Broncos assistant special teams coach (2023 – 2024)
AFC North
Baltimore Ravens Chris Horton 2019 [7] Ravens assistant special teams coach (2014 – 2018)
Cincinnati Bengals Darrin Simmons 2003 Carolina Panthers assistant special teams coordinator (1999 – 2002)
Cleveland Browns Raymond Ventrone 2023 [8] Indianapolis Colts special teams coordinator (2018 – 2022)
Pittsburgh Steelers Danny Smith 2013 Washington Redskins special teams coordinator (2004 – 2012)
AFC South
Houston Texans Frank Ross 2021 [9] Indianapolis Colts assistant special teams coach (2018 – 2020)
Indianapolis Colts Brian Mason 2023 [10] Notre Dame Fighting Irish special teams coordinator (2022)
Jacksonville Jaguars Heath Farwell 2022 [11] Buffalo Bills special teams coordinator (2019 – 2021)
Tennessee Titans John Fassel 2025 [12] Dallas Cowboys special teams coordinator (2020 – 2024)
AFC West
Denver Broncos Darren Rizzi 2025 [13] New Orleans Saints interim head coach (2024)
Kansas City Chiefs Dave Toub 2013 Chicago Bears special teams coordinator (2004 – 2012)
Las Vegas Raiders Tom McMahon 2022 [14] Denver Broncos special teams coordinator (2018 – 2021)
Los Angeles Chargers Ryan Ficken 2022 [15] Minnesota Vikings special teams coordinator (2021)
NFC
TeamCoordinatorSincePrevious coaching position
NFC East
Dallas Cowboys Nick Sorensen 2025 [16] San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator (2024)
New York Giants Michael Ghobrial 2024 [17] New York Jets assistant special teams coordinator (2021 – 2023)
Philadelphia Eagles Michael Clay 2021 [18] San Francisco 49ers assistant special teams coach (2018 – 2020)
Washington Commanders Larry Izzo 2024 [19] Seattle Seahawks special teams coordinator (2021 – 2023)
NFC North
Chicago Bears Richard Hightower 2022 [20] San Francisco 49ers special teams coordinator (2017 – 2021)
Detroit Lions Dave Fipp 2021 [21] Philadelphia Eagles special teams coordinator (2013 – 2020)
Green Bay Packers Rich Bisaccia 2022 [22] Las Vegas Raiders interim head coach & special teams coordinator (2021)
Minnesota Vikings Matt Daniels 2022 [23] Dallas Cowboys assistant special teams coach (2020 – 2021)
NFC South
Atlanta Falcons Marquice Williams 2021 [24] Detroit Lions assistant special teams coach (2019 – 2020)
Carolina Panthers Tracy Smith 2024 [25] Seattle Seahawks assistant special teams coach (2021 – 2023)
New Orleans Saints Phil Galiano 2025 Saints assistant special team coach (2019 – 2024)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Thomas McGaughey 2024 [26] Philadelphia Eagles special teams coordinator (2018 – 2023)
NFC West
Arizona Cardinals Jeff Rodgers 2018 [27] Chicago Bears special teams coordinator (2015 – 2017)
Los Angeles Rams Chase Blackburn 2023 [28] Tennessee Titans assistant special teams coach (2022)
San Francisco 49ers Brant Boyer 2025 [29] New York Jets special teams coordinator (2016 – 2024)
Seattle Seahawks Jay Harbaugh 2024 [30] Michigan Wolverines special teams coordinator & safeties coach (2022–2023)

See also

References

    1. ↑ "Does the NFL have a special teams bias when hiring head coaches? History indicates it does". USA Today . November 13, 2024. Retrieved February 1, 2025.
    2. ↑ Mike Sabock (2005). "Developing Special Teams Units". In Bill Mallory; Don Nehlen (eds.). Complete Guide to Special Teams. American Football Coaches Association. ISBN   0736052917.
    3. ↑ "NFL news roundup: Bills hiring former Panthers interim HC Chris Tabor as special teams coordinator". nfl.com. Retrieved February 12, 2025.
    4. ↑ "Miami Dolphins Announce Coaching Staff Additions". MiamiDolphins.com. January 29, 2025. Retrieved February 1, 2025.
    5. ↑ Bird, Hayden (January 31, 2024). "Patriots reportedly set to hire Jeremy Springer as special teams coach". Boston.com .
    6. ↑ Lange, Randy (January 31, 2025). "Jets Name Chris Banjo Special Teams Coordinator". NewYorkJets.com. Retrieved January 31, 2025.
    7. ↑ Brown, Clifton (March 15, 2019). "Ravens Special Teams Coordinator Jerry Rosburg to Retire". BaltimoreRavens.com. Retrieved March 21, 2019.
    8. ↑ Poisal, Anthony (February 24, 2023). "Bubba Ventrone named Browns assistant head coach/special teams coordinator" . Retrieved February 14, 2023.
    9. ↑ "Houston Texans Announce 2021 Assistant Coaching Staff". www.houstontexans.com. May 10, 2021.
    10. ↑ "Colts hire Notre Dame's Brian Mason as special teams coordinator; Irish blocked 7 punts". indystar.com. Retrieved April 29, 2024.
    11. ↑ "Jaguars Finalize 2022 Coaching Staff". Jacksonville Jaguars. February 17, 2022. Retrieved February 17, 2022.
    12. ↑ "Titans Promote Luke Stocker to TEs Coach, Announce the Hiring of Veteran Coaches John Fassel (Special Teams) and Tony Oden (Passing Game Coordinator/Cornerbacks), Along With Several Other Changes". TennesseeTitans.com. January 27, 2025.
    13. ↑ "Broncos hire Saints interim Darren Rizzi to coach special teams". ESPN. February 14, 2025.
    14. ↑ "Tom McMahon Joins Raiders as Special Teams Coordinator". Sports Illustrated. February 10, 2022.
    15. ↑ "Los Angeles Chargers hire Ryan Ficken as special teams coordinator". ESPN. February 3, 2022.
    16. ↑ "Nick Sorensen named special teams coordinator". Dallascowboys.com. Retrieved January 29, 2025.
    17. ↑ "Giants Hire Michael Ghobrial as New Special Teams Coordinator". Sports Illustrated. January 25, 2024. Retrieved January 26, 2024.
    18. ↑ "Eagles reportedly offer former Chip Kelly assistant ST coordinator job". RSN. Retrieved January 29, 2021.
    19. ↑ Washington Commanders Public Relations (February 15, 2024). "Washington Commanders announce coaching staff". Commanders.com. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
    20. ↑ "Bears hire Hightower as special teams coordinator". Chicago Bears . February 6, 2022.
    21. ↑ "Lions hire Dave Fipp as special teams coordinator". Detroit Lions . January 26, 2021.
    22. ↑ "Packers hire Rich Bisaccia as special teams coordinator". packers.com. February 8, 2022. Retrieved February 8, 2022.
    23. ↑ Lewis, Alec. "'That guy is going to be a superstar': Meet Matt Daniels, the Vikings' special teams coach". The Athletic. Retrieved December 24, 2022.
    24. ↑ Tabeek, Matthew; McFadden, Will (January 21, 2021). "Arthur Smith hires coaches, identifies coordinators". www.atlantafalcons.com. Retrieved January 26, 2021.
    25. ↑ Rizzuti, Anthony (February 8, 2024). "Panthers name Tracy Smith as new ST coordinator". Panthers Wire. Retrieved July 3, 2024.
    26. ↑ Simmons, Myles (February 8, 2024). "Buccaneers to hire Thomas McGaughey as special teams coordinator". nbcsports.com. NBC Universal. Retrieved February 8, 2024.
    27. ↑ "Cardinals announce coordinators, add Jeff Rodgers as special teams coordinator". January 27, 2018.
    28. ↑ Jackson, Stu (February 21, 2023). "Rams hire Chase Blackburn as special teams coordinator". TheRams.com. Retrieved February 21, 2023.
    29. ↑ "San Francisco 49ers Name Brant Boyer Special Teams Coordinator". San Francisco 49ers . January 27, 2025. Retrieved January 27, 2025.
    30. ↑ Boyle, John; Horton, Ari (February 13, 2024). "Seahawks Announce Seven Additions To 2024 Coaching Staff". Seahawks.com. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
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