Monte Kiffin, a defensive wizard who spent greater than 50 years teaching within the NFL and collegiate ranks, died Thursday at age 84, Ole Miss introduced.
Kiffin, whose son Lane is the pinnacle coach at Ole Miss, was surrounded by household and pals. He had been a defensive analyst for his son’s group since 2020.
“As his grandson Knox stated, he is freed from ache and smiling down on us from above,” the college stated in a submit to X. “Please hold the Kiffin household in your ideas and prayers throughout this time.”
Monte Kiffin, 84, peacefully handed away in the present day in Oxford surrounded by household and pals. As his grandson Knox stated, he is freed from ache and smiling down on us from above.
Please hold the Kiffin household in your ideas and prayers throughout this time. pic.twitter.com/eM1HT2lGHx
— Ole Miss Soccer (@OleMissFB) July 11, 2024
Kiffin spent 13 seasons as defensive coordinator with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. His work with Tony Dungy to construct the vaunted “Tampa 2” scheme helped the Bucs win the Tremendous Bowl in 2002 and was copied by a number of different groups across the league.
Throughout Kiffin’s tenure with Tampa Bay, its protection allowed the fewest factors per sport (17.5) whereas rating second in each yards allowed per sport (286.8) and complete takeaways (293).
“That protection that Monte coordinated was one of the best unit that had ever performed for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Monte was the coordinator of it,” former Bucs security John Lynch instructed the group’s web site. “He turned a part of the material of the Tampa neighborhood; he was so beloved.”
Three years in the past, Kiffin turned the primary — and solely — assistant coach within the Bucs’ Ring of Honor at Raymond James Stadium.
The Glazer household, the house owners of the Bucs, referred to as Kiffin a “beloved and iconic member of the Buccaneers household.”
“As a coach, Monte was a real innovator who received one of the best out of his gamers and helped create one of many signature defenses of the early 2000s,” the household stated. “His passionate and energetic management type resonated with all his gamers, and he was instrumental in our first Tremendous Bowl win and the success of Corridor of Famers reminiscent of Warren Sapp, Derrick Brooks, John Lynch and Ronde Barber.”
Kiffin spent 25 years within the NFL, having additionally served as a coordinator for the Minnesota Vikings, New Orleans Saints and Dallas Cowboys.
In March, he was honored by the Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame by way of its Awards for Excellence program.
Kiffin started his profession in 1966 as a graduate assistant at Nebraska following his enjoying profession, studying from Corridor of Famers Tom Osborne and Bob Devaney. Inside 4 years he had his first defensive coordinator job, at Nebraska in 1970, and labored his means as much as turning into head coach at NC State from 1980 to 1982. Kiffin went 16-17 in these three seasons, his solely stint as a head coach.
From there, he moved on to the NFL as linebackers coach with the Inexperienced Bay Packers in 1983.
Monte Kiffin spent the majority of his later years working for Lane Kiffin — first as defensive coordinator at Tennessee in 2009, then at USC from 2010 to 2012, then as a defensive analyst at FAU and Ole Miss, the place he served as an analyst since Lane turned head coach in 2020.
Earlier Thursday, Lane posted images of himself as a baby along with his father on X, writing, “My hero.”
My Hero 💜♥️ @NCStateFB @Vikings pic.twitter.com/gHPAbrUQF1
— Lane Kiffin (@Lane_Kiffin) July 11, 2024
Monte Kiffin’s different son, Chris, has been a coach for the Rebels and within the NFL. Monte and his spouse, Robin, even have a daughter, Heidi.
The Related Press contributed to this report.
