The Las Vegas Raiders fired special teams coordinator Tom McMahon, the team announced Friday afternoon.
It would appear Thursday’s 10-7 loss to the Denver Broncos was the final straw for McMahon, who has been in that role with the Raiders since 2022, two head coaches ago.
In that narrow loss, punter AJ Cole had a punt blocked for the second time this season, setting up what became the game-winning field goal for Denver. Las Vegas kicker Daniel Carlson missed a would-be game-tying field goal with 4:26 left.
A missed extra point the week prior in the overtime loss to Jacksonville and a blocked field goal in the Raiders’ 25-24 loss to Chicago on Sept. 28 also loom large as special teams problems that have played a role in the team’s 2-7 record.
“Earlier today, we made the tough decision to relieve Tom McMahon of his duties as special teams coordinator,” coach Pete Carroll said in a statement. “I have a great amount of respect for Tom and the work that has done in this league, but we have decided to move in a different direction. Derius Swinton II will assume special teams coordinator duties for the second half of this season with outstanding intent and purpose.
“We are grateful for Tom and his work here with the Raiders and wish him nothing but the best moving forward.”
McMahon has been consistently working as a special teams coach in the NFL since he was the assistant special teams coach for the Atlanta Falcons in 2007-08. He’s since served as the ST coordinator for the St. Louis Rams (2009-11), Kansas City Chiefs (2012), Indianapolis Colts (2013-17) and Broncos (2018-21) before landing in Las Vegas.
