Advertisement

Michael Ghobrial: 3 things to know about new NY Giants special teams coordinator

art stapleton, northjersey.com
·2 min read

Michael Ghobrial has been hired as the new special teams coordinator of the New York Giants, replacing Thomas McGaughey, who was fired by head coach Brian Daboll at season's end earlier this month.

Ghobrial does not have to go far to take the gig, given he has spent the last three years as a special teams assistant on Robert Saleh's staff with the Jets. Here are three things to know about the latest addition to Daboll's staff:

FILE -New York Jets special teams assistant Michael Ghobrial smiles as he walks on to the field before an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. The New York Giants have dipped into the rival Jets' coaching staff and hired Michael Ghobrial to be their special teams coordinator Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024.(AP Photo/Doug Murray, File)

The background

The 35-year-old Ghobrial spent 12 years working his way up the ranks at the college level specializing in special teams and on the defensive side of the ball with linemen and linebackers in particular. He played his college ball at UCLA where he was a defensive end for Karl Dorrell with the Bruins for two years.

Ghobrial also spent training camp with the Detroit Lions in 2017 as part of the league's Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship.

The resume

With the Jets, Ghobrial coached under special teams coordinator Brant Boyer and fellow assistant (and two-time All-Pro returner) Leon Washington as the team fielded one of the NFL's best special teams units. Boyer gets the credit, obviously, considering it was his unit. But Ghobrial received his share of credit.

The Jets finished second overall in special teams DVOA in 2021. They were also ranked third in veteran scribe Rick Gosselin’s 2023 Special Teams Rankings, respected around the league (9th in 2022).

Two years ago, Jets special teams captain Justin Hardee was named to the Pro Bowl.

"If I can't show a player how to do it, I don't feel comfortable teaching it," Ghobrial said of his coaching philosophy during a 2018 interview when he accepted the job at the University of Hawaii.

Jets DC Jeff Ulbrich a longtime mentor

Ghobrial credits the coaching influence of Jets defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, one of the rising stars in the profession. His time at UCLA as a graduate assistant and quality control coach on Jim Mora Jr.'s staff overlapped with Ulbrich's time as a linebackers and special teams coach.

Ulbrich was lauded during his time there for the Bruins' special teams prowess. During the 2012 season, no team in college football blocked more kicks or punts than the unit UCLA coached by Ulbrich and Ghobrial.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Michael Ghobrial: Get to know NY Giants special teams coordinator