Just as they’ve been doing with their search for an offensive coordinator, the Carolina Panthers and head coach Matt Rhule aren’t limiting their options when it comes to finding a lead on special teams. And, as evidenced on Friday, they’re even willing to call up an old friend.

That old friend, per ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter, is the team’s former special teams coordinator Thomas McGaughey. Carolina has now been granted permission to interview McGaughey, who has remained in the same post for the New York Giants following the firing of Joe Judge earlier in the week.

Giants granted permission to the Carolina Panthers to interview Thomas McGaughey for their special teams coordinator position, per source.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 14, 2022

The longtime special teams coach, whose NFL experience goes back to his work as an assistant with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2002, has served as the coordinator for four different teams in the past eight seasons. In addition to the Panthers and Giants, McGaughey headed the units for the New York Jets in 2014 and the San Francisco 49ers in 2015.

After moving on from San Francisco, the Chicago native was hired by Carolina as an assistant in 2016. McGaughey was then promoted to coordinator in place of the late Bruce DeHaven and proceeded to guide the Panthers’ group to an impressive 2017 campaign.

The Panthers, along with McGaughey, are also interviewing Chris Tabor and Tom McMahon for the opening.