 Kiffin in 2009 | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born: | February 29, 1940 Lexington, Nebraska, U.S. |
| Died: | July 11, 2024 (aged 84) Oxford, Mississippi, U.S. |
| Career information | |
| High school: | Lexington (NE) |
| College: | Nebraska |
| NFL draft: | 1964 / round: 15 / pick: 202 |
| Career history | |
| As a player: | |
| |
| * Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |
| As a coach: | |
| |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| Head coaching record | |
| Regular season: | NCAA: 16–17 (.485) |
| Record at Pro Football Reference | |
Monte George Kiffin (February 29, 1940 – July 11, 2024) was an American football coach. He is widely considered to have been one of the preeminent defensive coordinators in modern football, as well as one of the greatest defensive coordinators in NFL history. Father of the widely imitated "Tampa 2" defense, Kiffin's concepts are among the most influential in modern college and pro football.[1]
He spent nearly 30 years as an NFL assistant coach, including 13 years as defensive coordinator for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, with whom he won Super Bowl XXXVII. His defensive units finished ranked in the top 10 in points allowed and yards allowed 10 times during that period, an NFL record.[2] Later in his career, he worked with his son Lane, who has served as the head coach of several major college programs.
Kiffin earned a reported $2 million annual salary during his time with Buccaneers and turned down several NFL head coaching jobs during his career. His only head coaching job was at North Carolina State University from 1980 to 1982.
- ^ Shelton, Gary (December 28, 2008). "Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin is worthy of fame". St. Petersburg Times. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011.
- ^ Cummings, Roy (December 14, 2008). "Kiffin Confirms He's Leaving Bucs For Tennessee". The Tampa Tribune. Archived from the original on January 1, 2014. Retrieved December 31, 2013.