NFL
Monte Kiffin, legendary NFL coach, dies
The defensive specialist was the creator of the ‘Tampa 2′ system, with which the Buccaneers won Super Bowl XXXVII against the Oakland Raiders.
The University of Mississippi announced the death of Monte Kiffin, father of head coach Lane Kiffin and legendary NFL coach, at age 84. The university announced that his death took place in Oxford, Mississippi, surrounded by family and friends. The veteran quarterback spent the last five college football seasons as a defensive analyst with the Rebels.
Kiffin created the ‘Tampa 2′ defensive system, with which the Buccaneers won Super Bowl XXXVII against the Oakland Raiders. The coach was linked to the Tampa Bay franchise between 1996 and 2008. In June this year, the Pro Football Hall of Fame awarded him the excellence award. Among the most notable players under his tutelage were John Lynch, Warren Sapp, Rondé Barber, and Derrick Brooks.
Monte Kiffin's coaching career
Kiffin, a native of Lexington, Nebraska, began his coaching career as an assistant at the local university from 1966 to 1972. He later became the Cornhuskers’ defensive coordinator until 1976, when he moved to Arkansas to take charge of the Razorbacks’ defense.
North Carolina State gave him the opportunity to be head coach from 1980 to 1982. However, the results were not with him, and he signed a 16-17 record and managed to make the jump to the NFL, specializing in linebackers.
Before becoming defensive coordinator in 1991 with the Minnesota Vikings, Monte Kiffin was also a linebackers coach for the Green Bay Lakers, Buffalo Bills, and New York Jets.
After his time with the Buccaneers, Kiffin returned to the NCAA as a defensive manager for the Tennessee Volunteers. He later accompanied his son Lane on the odyssey with the USC Trojans from 2010 to 2012. The coach returned to the NFL with the Dallas Cowboys and spent two seasons in Arlington. His last job in the league was as a defensive assistant for the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2016.
Prior to joining the Ole Miss Rebels for the final stage of his career, Kiffin spent three years (2017-2019) as a defensive assistant with the Florida Atlantic Owls, always at the side of his son Lane.