Tag: Monte Kiffin

The football world continues to pay tribute to Monte Kiffin

Monte Kiffin continues to be remembered as the immensely influential football man he was and always will be.

Longtime former Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin, who was also a former USC football assistant to his son, Lane Kiffin, died on Thursday at the age of 84, the University of Mississippi announced.

He had worked with the football program between the 2020 and 2023 season as a player personnel assistant under Lane Kiffin.

Touchdown Wire has more on Monte Kiffin, who served as Lane Kiffin’s defensive coordinator at USC from 2010 through 2012:

Kiffin spent 13 seasons as defensive coordinator with the Tampa Bay Bucs. In those seasons, Tampa Bay allowed the fewest points per game (17.5) while ranking second in both yards allowed per game (286.8) and total takeaways (293).

Overall, Monte Kiffin spent 25 years in the NFL, having also served as a coordinator for the Minnesota Vikings, New Orleans Saints and Dallas Cowboys.

Kiffin was the architect of a Super Bowl-winning defense in Tampa Bay under Jon Gruden in 2003. His defenses were consistently among the best in the NFL and put six different Buccaneers players on All-Pro rosters and helped four of them (Derrick Brooks, Warren Sapp, John Lynch and Ronde Barber) reach the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Monte Kiffin touched a lot of people in the football world:

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The legend of Monte Kiffin and the ‘Tampa 2’ defense

Take a look back at the legendary Monte Kiffin and his patented defense, from the players and coaches who knew him best

The 2002 Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense will live forever as one of the most dominant units in NFL history, featuring four Hall of Famers and one of the best performances in Super Bowl history that earned the first Lombardi Trophy in franchise history.

The man behind the curtain was defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin, who built the now-famous “Tampa 2” defense into a juggernaut that was often imitated, but never replicated.

Kiffin passed away earlier this week at the age of 84, following a legendary coaching career that reflected his hard work, limitless energy, and absolute genius.

Hear what Kiffin meant to the Bucs franchise from those who played for him and coached with him during those glory days in Tampa Bay:

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Former Cowboys, longtime NFL coordinator Monte Kiffin dies at 84

The legendary defensive coach passed away this week.

The NFL world lost a true legend this past week with the passing of famed defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin. The longtime staple known for his unique variation of Cover 2 defense known as the Tampa 2, died Thursday at the age of 84.

In the NFL since 1983 and beginning as the Green Bay Packers linebackers coach, Kiffin had a long and illustrious career that included a two-year stint with Dallas as defensive coordinator and assistant head coach in 2013 and 2014, respectively. His NFL career ended in 2016 with the Jacksonville Jaguars, but he then spent time back in the collegiate ranks with Florida Atlantic and Ole Miss.

The last stop was on the staff of his son, Lane Kiffin.

Monte Kiffin spent 13 years in Tampa Bay curating one of the signature defenses of the 2000s.

Former Tennessee defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin dies at 84

Former Tennessee defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin passes away at 84.

Former Tennessee defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin passed away Thursday.

Kiffin, the father of former Vols’ head coach Lane Kiffin, served as Tennessee’s defensive coordinator in 2009, during his son’s only season in Knoxville.

He was 84.

Kiffin, a long time college and NFL assistant coach, was best known in the NFL as Tampa Bay’s defensive coordinator. He was an architect of the Buccaneers’ Tampa 2 defense.

Kiffin served as Tampa Bay’s defensive coordinator from from 1996-2008 under head coaches Tony Dungy and Jon Gruden, winning Super Bowl XXXVI.

He was also defensive coordinator at USC (2010-12), a defensive assistant at Florida Atlantic (2017-19) and a player personnel analyst at Ole Miss from 2020-23.

Kiffin worked at Nebraska from 1966-76, beginning his career as a graduate assistant. He was also the Cornhuskers’ defensive coordinator from 1969-76. Kiffin held the same position at Arkansas from 1977-79 and was also the Razorbacks’ assistant head coach in 1979.

He was head coach at North Carolina State head coach from 1980-82, compiling a 16-17 record.

Kiffin also worked as an assist coach in the NFL for Dallas, the Jets, Minnesota, Green Bay, New Orleans, Buffalo and Jacksonville.

PHOTOS: Vols’ defensive coordinators through the years

Photo by Joe Murphy/Getty Images

Lane Kiffin pays tribute to Monte Kiffin in simple, poignant childhood tweet

Lane Kiffin called Monte Kiffin “My hero.”

The passing of Monte Kiffin is a loss for the football community, but it is most centrally a loss for the Kiffin family and the son who learned so much from his father. Lane Kiffin tweeted two pictures from his childhood. In the two pictures, Lane is with his dad, Monte Kiffin, who died on Thursday at age 84. Lane Kiffin, who spent several years at USC — many as a coordinator and a few as head coach — is now the head coach of Ole Miss. He is entering a season in which the Rebels have a chance to make the College Football Playoff in the eyes of many experts.

College Sports Wire has more on Lane Kiffin and Ole Miss in 2024:

Lane Kiffin and the Ole Miss Rebels have been living off loading up the roster through the transfer portal and the 2024 team will be no different. The Rebels won a school-record 11 games last season and the roster is ready to challenge for the SEC title. For that to happen, Kiffin will need to find a way to compete with Georgia, Texas, and Alabama. This year the Rebels only draw Georgia in the regular season but likely have to play one of the three should they make it to Atlanta for conference title game.

We’ll have more on the life and career of Monte Kiffin. Watch this space.

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Lane Kiffin’s father, former USC assistant coach Monte Kiffin, dies at age 84

Monte Kiffin is a centrally transformative figure in the world of football coaching.

Lane Kiffin, the former head coach of the USC Trojans and the former offensive coordinator for USC under Pete Carroll, is the son of a man who became a transformative defensive coach in the NFL. Monte Kiffin, who revolutionized coverages and defensive schemes with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and became a hugely consequential innovator in the football world, died on Thursday at age 84.

Touchdown Wire has more on Monte Kiffin, who served as Lane Kiffin’s defensive coordinator at USC from 2010 through 2012:

Kiffin spent 13 seasons as defensive coordinator with the Tampa Bay Bucs. In those seasons, Tampa Bay allowed the fewest points per game (17.5) while ranking second in both yards allowed per game (286.8) and total takeaways (293).

Overall, Monte Kiffin spent 25 years in the NFL, having also served as a coordinator for the Minnesota Vikings, New Orleans Saints and Dallas Cowboys.

The reach and influence of Monte Kiffin in the sport of football are substantial and far-ranging. We extend our condolences to Lane Kiffin and his extended family.

Visit our friends at Fighting Irish Wire, Buffaloes Wire, and Ducks Wire. Follow our newest sites, UW Huskies Wire and UCLA Wire.

Check out more NFL draft coverage with the USA TODAY Sports NFL Draft Hub.

Former Vikings player, coach Monte Kiffin passes away at 84

Former Minnesota Vikings player and coach Monte Kiffin passed away on Thursday at the age of 84, Ole Miss announced on social media.

Former Minnesota Vikings player and coach Monte Kiffin passed away on Thursday at the age of 84, Ole Miss announced on social media.

Kiffin was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the 15th round of the 1964 NFL Draft after a college career at Nebraska. He was known for his time serving as a coach more than his playing time on the field. During his coaching career, Kiffin orchestrated some of the more effective and legendary defenses in the pro or college football game. His coaching career started in 1966 as a Graduate Assistant at Nebraska after his playing career ended the same year.

He would make several stops in both the NFL and NCAA, including coaching the Minnesota Linebackers from 1986-1989 and 1992-1994. He also earned the title of defensive coordinator with the team in 1991.

While his time with Minnesota won’t be the first thing mentioned in any conversation about him, It is one of many stops to play a part in his football life. Kiffin will forever be known for coaching the 2002 Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense that won Super Bowl XXXVII against the Oakland Raiders.

He eventually coached at Tennessee, USC, Florida Atlantic University, and, most recently, Ole Miss with his son Lane Kiffin. He was coaching as a key defensive assistant at the SEC school as recently as 2023 under his son.

Longtime NFL defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin dies at 84

The great defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin has died at 84

One of the great defensive coordinators in NFL history has died. Monte Kiffin was 84.

Kiffin’s death was announced by Ole Miss via information provided by his grandson, Knox.

Kiffin spent 13 seasons as defensive coordinator with the Tampa Bay Bucs. In those seasons, Tampa Bay allowed the fewest points per game (17.5) while ranking second in both yards allowed per game (286.8) and total takeaways (293).

Overall, Monte Kiffin spent 25 years in the NFL, having also served as a coordinator for the Minnesota Vikings, New Orleans Saints and Dallas Cowboys.

His son, Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin, posted a sweet message about his dad.

Other tributes came in via Twitter:

Monte Kiffin dies: Fans pay tribute to the defensive football mastermind

One of the greatest defensive football coaches has died.

One of the greatest defensive minds to ever coach in football has died.

Monte Kiffin, the longtime defensive coach who pioneered the cover 2 defense, died on Thursday in Oxford, Mississippi, at the age of 84, Ole Miss confirmed on Twitter (X).

The father of Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin, Monte Kiffin was the defensive coordinator for the all-time Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense that helped win a Super Bowl in 2002. He is a member of that team’s Ring of Honor.

That iconic defensive coaching staff featured future NFL head coaches like Mike Tomlin and Raheem Morris and future coordinator Joe Barry.

Monte Kiffin started his career as a graduate assistant at Nebraska in 1966 after a brief professional football career and assumed defensive coordinator duties for the Cornhuskers from 1969-76. He helped the school win two national titles in 1970 and 1971.

He briefly worked at North Carolina State as its head coach from 1980-82 before making his first leap into the NFL as the Green Bay Linebackers linebackers coach for a season in 1983.

After bouncing around in various roles around the NFL, his stint with the Buccaneers as their defensive coordinator from 1996-2008 established him as one of the all-time defensive minds in the game.

His impressive NFL coaching tree includes Tomlin, Morris, Herm Edwards, Lovie Smith, Rod Marinelli and Gus Bradley, per the The Dallas Morning News.

After leaving Tampa Bay in 2008, Monte Kiffin went between college football and the NFL as a defensive coach, including a brief coordinator stint with the Dallas Cowboys.

He also spent a good amount of time with his son, Lane Kiffin, as one of his assistant coaches. The veteran coach closed out his career from 2020-23 as a player personnel analyst with Lane Kiffin and Ole Miss.

Lane Kiffin offered a tribute to his father on Thursday, calling him his “hero.”

Fans and the football community paid tribute to Kiffin, who had an undeniable and permanent impact on the sport of football.

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Bucs ownership issues statement on the passing of Monte Kiffin

The Glazer family issued a statement Thursday following the death of legendary Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers family lost one of the most legendary figures in franchise history Thursday, as former defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin died at the age of 84.

“Monte Kiffin was a beloved and iconic member of the Buccaneers family, and our entire organization mourns his loss today,” the Glazer family, which owns the Bucs, said in a statement Thursday. “As a coach, Monte was a true innovator who got the best out of his players and helped create one of the signature defenses of the early 2000s. His passionate and energetic leadership style resonated with all his players, and he was instrumental in our first Super Bowl win and the success of Hall of Famers such as Warren Sapp, Derrick Brooks, John Lynch and Rondé Barber.”

“Off the field, Monte was kind, genuine, gracious and always had a positive attitude,” the statement continued. “He was very special to the Buccaneers organization and our family. We send our heartfelt condolences to his wife, Robin, sons Lane and Chris, daughter, Heidi, and the entire Kiffin family.”

Kiffin was the architect of the famous “Tampa 2” defense, and led one of the most dominant defenses in NFL history in 2002, which propelled the Bucs to their first Super Bowl victory.

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