The Tampa Bay Buccaneers interviewed a second candidate for the vacant special teams coordinator position Wednesday.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers continued their search for a new special teams coordinator Wednesday, announcing they completed an interview with Craig Aukerman.
Aukerman spent the 2025 season as the special teams coordinator for the Miami Dolphins. He is now able to search elsewhere since the Dolphins fired head coach Mike McDaniel last week.
Aukerman has coached in the NFL for 16 seasons. He has been special teams coordinator for three different franchises. In addition to the Dolphins, he has also managed the special teams of the at-the-time San Diego Chargers (2016) and the Tennessee Titans (2018-2023).
During his time with the Titans, punter Brett Kern was selected to three Pro Bowls and long snapper Morgan Cox also earned a Pro Bowl selection.
Aukerman has also coached linebackers at the collegiate level, including stops at Western Kentucky, Miami (OH) and Kent State. In addition, he has been a defensive assistant for the Denver Broncos and Jacksonville Jaguars.
Aukerman is the second known candidate for the position. Tampa Bay also interviewed Jett Modkins, who is the assistant special teams coordinator for the Detroit Lions.
The Buccaneers are looking to fill the spot after moving on from Thomas McGaughey following a season in which the Buccaneers fielded one of the worst special teams units in the entire league. Pro Football Focus graded the Buccaneers’ special teams 30th overall.
The Buccaneers also allowed three blocked kicks and two blocked punts this season and were among the worst teams in the league in expected points allowed per punt.
Aukerman helped cause some of the Bucs' problems on special teams last season. In Tampa Bay‘s Week 17 loss to the Dolphins, the Buccaneers allowed a blocked field goal as Bucs kicker Chase McLaughlin attempted a 55-yard field goal late in the first half with the Buccaneers trailing 17-7. Miami went on to win 20-17.
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