Greg McMahon is expected to join the Florida Gators staff as a special teams analyst, a veteran addition that would bolster the program’s special teams depth and experience.
As reported by Saturday Down South, McMahon is expected to come out of retirement to take the role after a long career in the NFL and college ranks.
Key Takeaways
- Florida is expected to add Greg McMahon as a special teams analyst.
- McMahon is reportedly coming out of retirement after a long career in both the NFL and college football.
- His résumé includes an extended spell with the New Orleans Saints, consultant work at LSU, and a recent coordinator role at Tulane that could impact the Gators’ kicking and return units.
Greg McMahon’s coaching resume and stops
McMahon’s résumé covers multiple levels of the game, with consistent stops in both college football and the NFL.
His most prominent NFL tenure came with the New Orleans Saints, where he served as assistant special teams coach in 2006-2007 and then special teams coordinator from 2008-2016, a run that included the franchise’s Super Bowl title season.
On the college side, McMahon served as a special teams consultant at LSU from 2018-2021 and was part of the Tigers’ 2019 national championship staff.
Most recently he served as Tulane’s special teams coordinator in 2023 and 2024 before announcing plans to retire.
What McMahon brings to Florida special teams
McMahon’s background pairs long NFL experience with recent college coordinating and consulting stops, which can translate to technical coaching and schematic input for specialists.
An analyst role typically involves scheming, opponent breakdowns, and on-field work with returners and kickers; McMahon’s mix of coordinator and consultant experience positions him to impact both weekly game-planning and technique work.
The hire also provides a veteran voice in recruiting conversations for specialists and return-man prospects who value professional preparation and detailed instruction.
How the hire could affect roster development and recruiting
A seasoned special teams technician can change how a staff evaluates and develops specialists during the recruiting cycle by placing more emphasis on technique and positional versatility.
Improved special teams performance creates roster flexibility by reducing the need for situational depth and lowering turnover caused by hidden mistakes.
Coaching stops and context
| Stop | Role | Notable context |
|---|---|---|
| New Orleans Saints | Assistant (2006-2007); Special Teams Coordinator (2008-2016) | Extended NFL tenure including the franchise’s Super Bowl season |
| LSU | Special Teams Consultant (2018-2021) | Part of the Tigers’ 2019 national championship staff as a consultant |
| Tulane | Special Teams Coordinator (2023-2024) | Most recent college coordinator role before announcing plans to retire |
| Various college and alternative pro stops | Position and special teams roles | Includes Eastern Illinois, Minnesota, North Alabama, Valdosta State, UNLV, Illinois, East Carolina and the XFL’s Houston Roughnecks |
SEC standings and College Football Playoff implications
Special teams are an often-overlooked lever in conference standings and College Football Playoff calculations, where fewer negative plays in the kicking game can swing close SEC contests.
Adding an experienced analyst with NFL and national championship ties signals a targeted push to eliminate hidden errors and gain incremental advantages in tight games that matter in the SEC and on the CFP path.
