 |
|
Kiffin Confirms He's Leaving For Tennessee |
 Tampa Bay defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin confirmed Sunday he is leaving for Tennessee at the end of the season (Cliff Welch) |
After the Buccaneers 13-10 loss to the Atlanta Falcons, Tampa Bay took an even bigger hit. Bucs defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin confirmed he will be leaving Tampa Bay to coach with his son Lane Kiffin at the University of Tennessee. Kiffin's defense has finished 10 of the past 11 seasons ranked in the top 10.
According to various media reports, Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin confirmed after the Bucs 13-10 loss to the Atlanta Falcons that he would be leaving the Buccaneers organization to coach with his son Lane Kiffin at the University of Tennessee. Kiffin started as the Bucs defensive coordinator in the 1996 season.
During Kiffin's tenure in Tampa Bay, he has 10 seasons where he has coached the Bucs to a top-10 ranking. The Bucs had the number one overall unit in 2002 and 2005. The 2002 unit led the Buccaneers to a Super Bowl championship. Last year's defense was ranked second in the NFL in total yards allowed.
At the University of Tennessee Kiffin will probably serve as the defensive coordinator under his son, Lane, who was recently named the next head coach of the Volunteers. From 1966 through 1982 Kiffin coached in the college ranks. Kiffin was the defensive coordinator at Nebraska and Arkansas. He also was the head coach of North Carolina State from 1980-1982.
Shortly after firing Lane Kiffin in late-September, Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis stated in a press conference that Monte Kiffin expressed interest in joining Lane as a defensive coordinator in January before signing a two-year contract extension with the Buccaneers.
Tampa Bay would consider several candidates to fill the void at the defensive coordinator spot, including defensive backs coach Raheem Morris, linebackers coach Gus Bradley and assistant head coach Larry Coyer. The Bucs could also have an eye on the Detroit Lions, who could fire former Bucs assistant coaches Rod Marinelli (head coach) and Joe Barry (defensive coordinator) at the end of the season.
Morris, whose contract is up at the end of the season, is certainly a candidate for the defensive coordinator. Morris, 32, has coached with Kiffin for six years and served as the defensive coordinator at Kansas State in 2006. Coyer was a defensive coordinator in Denver (2003-06) and been an assistant head coach and defensive line coach under Bucs head coach Jon Gruden.
During Kiffin's tenure in Tampa Bay, he has 10 seasons where he has coached the Bucs to a top-10 ranking. The Bucs had the number one overall unit in 2002 and 2005. The 2002 unit led the Buccaneers to a Super Bowl championship. Last year's defense was ranked second in the NFL in total yards allowed.
At the University of Tennessee Kiffin will probably serve as the defensive coordinator under his son, Lane, who was recently named the next head coach of the Volunteers. From 1966 through 1982 Kiffin coached in the college ranks. Kiffin was the defensive coordinator at Nebraska and Arkansas. He also was the head coach of North Carolina State from 1980-1982.
Shortly after firing Lane Kiffin in late-September, Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis stated in a press conference that Monte Kiffin expressed interest in joining Lane as a defensive coordinator in January before signing a two-year contract extension with the Buccaneers.
Tampa Bay would consider several candidates to fill the void at the defensive coordinator spot, including defensive backs coach Raheem Morris, linebackers coach Gus Bradley and assistant head coach Larry Coyer. The Bucs could also have an eye on the Detroit Lions, who could fire former Bucs assistant coaches Rod Marinelli (head coach) and Joe Barry (defensive coordinator) at the end of the season.
Morris, whose contract is up at the end of the season, is certainly a candidate for the defensive coordinator. Morris, 32, has coached with Kiffin for six years and served as the defensive coordinator at Kansas State in 2006. Coyer was a defensive coordinator in Denver (2003-06) and been an assistant head coach and defensive line coach under Bucs head coach Jon Gruden.
Comments
Horse
Good for you Monte to be with your son. i wish you the best.
7:00pm, December 14, 2008
barber20
Best of luck to you Monte we will miss you.
7:10pm, December 14, 2008
atkinson01
There goes Gruden's safety net. There's no one left to save him from his bad personnel decisions and playcalling.
7:42pm, December 14, 2008
theossie
???@atkins
8:10pm, December 14, 2008
rocko23
good luck, great in Tampa and now its time for change
8:12pm, December 14, 2008
sanders9759
After seeing his D hold Atlanta to 10 points almost the entire game after the Monday night beating and all the saves this season and then to see the offense totally F it up he probably said screw it and made up his mind. I DO NOT BLAME HIM. We love and will miss you Monte. Thanks for all the great years and dedication.
8:12pm, December 14, 2008
cremdonado
This will further expose the crap offense of Tampa !!
Monte- The Bucs seldom won without your defensive coaching,its like the Bucs are losing their heart. Without kiffin,the architect of our defense is leaving...We are now stuck with gruden-a supposed offensive guru..Monte leaving will expose gruden further,and soon the team should be rid of him..
So sad to see Monte go,so sad that we are now stuck with Gruden....
The team should be renamed the Tampa Bay Plexico Buresses- they have shot themselves in the foot....
We need a offensive coach AND system guys (top talent) want to play for..I don't get that from Gruden....Gruden seems to want to be the only star off the offense-if people play too well it might take away from his camera time....The whole muggin for the cameras is old-i'd rather have an offense i can be proud of than a mean muggin coach who's record speaks of HIS coaching ability and not that of his defensive coordinator's .
If you thought the team was bad now-wait til there's no more kiffin..
Its a sad day for tampa....
Gruden- go f**k yourself....
Monte- The Bucs seldom won without your defensive coaching,its like the Bucs are losing their heart. Without kiffin,the architect of our defense is leaving...We are now stuck with gruden-a supposed offensive guru..Monte leaving will expose gruden further,and soon the team should be rid of him..
So sad to see Monte go,so sad that we are now stuck with Gruden....
The team should be renamed the Tampa Bay Plexico Buresses- they have shot themselves in the foot....
We need a offensive coach AND system guys (top talent) want to play for..I don't get that from Gruden....Gruden seems to want to be the only star off the offense-if people play too well it might take away from his camera time....The whole muggin for the cameras is old-i'd rather have an offense i can be proud of than a mean muggin coach who's record speaks of HIS coaching ability and not that of his defensive coordinator's .
If you thought the team was bad now-wait til there's no more kiffin..
Its a sad day for tampa....
Gruden- go f**k yourself....
8:21pm, December 14, 2008
BucWildFan
Seriously I don't understand the hatred so many people here have for Gruden. Careful what you guys wish for if one day gruden should get fired. He's not a perfect coach but take a look around the league there are many other head coaches who make bad decisions like Jeff Fisher did today vs the Texans. I still think there should be some firing/rehi-ring in our scouting department. I don't know how that works as far as we have a number amount of people who look at defensive players and a number amount of scouts who look at offensive players and then the coaches decide what fits their system etc. I will say this, Gruden has had time to develop a QB and he has not. That is my only knock on him, I won't even mention games that he has bad calls because EVERY HEAD COACH makes bad calls! Even your almighty Cowher!! I wish Monte the best, his defense made me a buc fan and seeing him leave is like seeing the pulse of our team just go out. I hope whoever steps in can do a well job and hold this defense to what we expect every sunday-excellence. Thank you Monte wish you the best and nothing but success.
9:06pm, December 14, 2008
Warthog
I'll take Gruden over 80% of the head coaches in the NFL.
And Kiffin leaving is a loss but it is not the end of the world. There are quality candidates to replace him and the core of defensive players is still strong! Relax, everyone.
I wish Kiffin every success in his new position, he is a true legend of the game and a hero for this franchise.
And Kiffin leaving is a loss but it is not the end of the world. There are quality candidates to replace him and the core of defensive players is still strong! Relax, everyone.
I wish Kiffin every success in his new position, he is a true legend of the game and a hero for this franchise.
9:59pm, December 14, 2008
drt1066
Cremdonado perhaps you take up a different hobby such as an Urban Jihadist. Then again you could always learn to pray.
10:07pm, December 14, 2008
BucWildFan
I agree Warthog it is not the end of the world. It had to come sooner or later. I just don't like the way this happened as far as the timing. I just thought it would've been handled more professionally. This has been a distraction for him and it shows in the last 2 games. Damn you Lane kiffin you need daddy to hold your hand! I will be rooting for Monte NOT Lane!
10:14pm, December 14, 2008
BucWildFan
Cremdonado you remind me of the guy at the press conference throwing his shoe @ bush. I bet you would do that to gruden if you had access to One Buc.
10:15pm, December 14, 2008
stone1
it is time for morris monte is great ,but the tampa two is weak against the run always has and always will, but if the team is leading and teams throw look out.monte deserves to be with his son raheem dc, lake as dbs coach, good bye coyer and d-line coach welcome bad rod. season is not lost are qbs suck mc should hsve played
10:15pm, December 14, 2008
drt1066
Give Monte a shocking going away present - A SIX GAME WIN STREAK TO END THE SEASON!
Love you, Monte. Go help your kid. But remember it's Go Gators!
Raheem Morris for D Coordinator. Jimmie Lake for DBs.
Love you, Monte. Go help your kid. But remember it's Go Gators!
Raheem Morris for D Coordinator. Jimmie Lake for DBs.
10:28pm, December 14, 2008
brad
cmon guys,reall grudens horrible offense,the one that at least kept us in the carolina game.....and ive never seen our defense play like s**t until this kiffin thing came up...and if so..who do you replace gruden with?...marty schotinhiemer...cmon think before you go on a dumeg/ron/ian rant.....
10:43pm, December 14, 2008
bucfan47
brad, exactly..Most fans on here are praise for winning, bash when we lose...Any realistic fan would have easily known going into this game we would have a hard time hanging around...Again, the NFC SOUTH is 26-2 at home..What did you guys expect?
Griese is horrible and it's so sad that McCown can't beat him out...Maybe we can grab someone in the off-season to come in and compete. I can't wait until you guys finally see McCown go somewhere else and see for yourself why he doesn't play...He's not very good.
Griese is horrible and it's so sad that McCown can't beat him out...Maybe we can grab someone in the off-season to come in and compete. I can't wait until you guys finally see McCown go somewhere else and see for yourself why he doesn't play...He's not very good.
11:03pm, December 14, 2008
tjbucs
Thank you Monte for your passion and for being a real leader and friend to your players on and off the field. If ever a coach of the Tampa Bay Bucs was beloved by the fans it is most certainly you. You have always displayed great leadership and compassion for your defensive players and that is a rare thing these days. You have set a mark of excellence that will never be reached and I thank you for all of your integrity and dedicated hard work to make the Bucs Defense what it is today. We always knew that what you see is what you get with Monte Kiffin. I always looked forward to your spot with Chip on Chip Carters Tailgate Sunday. You always made me laugh You will be sorely missed. My only regret is that you could not have passed on some of your qualities to Jon Gruden. I think it is time with your leaving for this team to go in a new direction. Out with Gruden and bring in an honest coach who doesn't lie to his players and always has their back and keeps his promises. Would love to see Raheem move up to Head coach. He has a lot of your qualities. He has passion for the game and loves the players. I hope that that defensive fire you lit under our players stays forever and I think Raheem can continue on with the tradition you have established. Maybe move Gus B. to D Coordinator or possibly Marinelli if he is let go by Detroit. Bring in some type of innovative offensive coordinator that has some imagination and design some plays that really work. I wish you nothing but he best in the future Monte because you certainly deserve it and have done everything you can for the fans of the Tampa Bay area. God speed and God's blessing to you and your family this coming year and always. A real Monte Kiffin fan forever!!!!!!!!
12:16am, December 15, 2008
wallace23
its whatever man!
just as all the great teams are getting in a rhythm for the playoff run, my team the bucs start to fold up and fade into the wind not to be seen again until next year!!!!!!
once again gruden offensive master mind with no offensive mind at all!!!
just as all the great teams are getting in a rhythm for the playoff run, my team the bucs start to fold up and fade into the wind not to be seen again until next year!!!!!!
once again gruden offensive master mind with no offensive mind at all!!!
12:16pm, December 15, 2008
wallace23
Its just time to face the truth once and for all !!!
Kiffins defenses can not stop the run and Grudens offense never scores touchdowns in the red zone!
and that is a combination made for fan heartbreak everytime!!!!
Kiffins defenses can not stop the run and Grudens offense never scores touchdowns in the red zone!
and that is a combination made for fan heartbreak everytime!!!!
12:21pm, December 15, 2008
japerez3
Good luck Monte! Enjoy coaching with you son! You deserve to do whatever you want to.
It should be noted that the Bucs, who DON'T let people out of their contracts, are letting him out of the last year of his, and rightly so. That shows what they think of what he has done for this team.
It is time for Raheem as DC and Jimmy Lake as secondary coach. Since Monte's retirement HAD to be fast approaching, this is probably perfectly timed as it will allow us to retain Raheem.
I STILL think the Bucs are building a powerhouse team but are just a few players away from being dominating.
Bucjoe
It should be noted that the Bucs, who DON'T let people out of their contracts, are letting him out of the last year of his, and rightly so. That shows what they think of what he has done for this team.
It is time for Raheem as DC and Jimmy Lake as secondary coach. Since Monte's retirement HAD to be fast approaching, this is probably perfectly timed as it will allow us to retain Raheem.
I STILL think the Bucs are building a powerhouse team but are just a few players away from being dominating.
Bucjoe
12:25pm, December 15, 2008
PanthersSuck!
What the hell. Kiffin AND Gruden are both great coaches!
We had a rusty backup and our two DT's out of the game against a really good team and still were in a good position to win. It was just a tough loss with some half a** refs.
We are 9-5 people.... Quit jumping ship with Gruden!!!
I remember when you people were bagging on Dungy back in the days when Philly kept knocking us out of the playoffs too.
Stop bitc*ing about Gruden, wish Kiffin and our next DC luck and lets get ready for some kick a** home games in the next two weeks.
We are still in a good position here.
GO BUCS!!!!
We had a rusty backup and our two DT's out of the game against a really good team and still were in a good position to win. It was just a tough loss with some half a** refs.
We are 9-5 people.... Quit jumping ship with Gruden!!!
I remember when you people were bagging on Dungy back in the days when Philly kept knocking us out of the playoffs too.
Stop bitc*ing about Gruden, wish Kiffin and our next DC luck and lets get ready for some kick a** home games in the next two weeks.
We are still in a good position here.
GO BUCS!!!!
1:47pm, December 15, 2008
bucsfanwd4047
thank you, PanthersSuck!, I was beginning to think I was the only sane bucs fan here. While we are looking at some rough setbacks here at the end of the season (losing EG for season, our DTs the last few weeks, Garcia, now Flip and Brooks), we have to realize that so many other teams would salivate at the chance to get Gruden if we fired him. No, he's not perfect, but he is still one of the best coaches in the NFL, no doubt. Seriously, if we fired Gruden who would we get? Jim Mora Jr or something?
While I do have a sinking feeling about the way the last few weeks have gone for us, with us losing 2 big division games and Monte (officially), I also believe that this team would have ZERO chance if we didn't have Jon Gruden.
Like he said above we are 9-5, and no one was complaining not long ago when we were whipping ass. So don't abandon ship all of a sudden and act like we have the sorriest coach in the league just because we don't win them all. Even if we don't go all the way its ok, thats part of what being a fan is about- supporting your team when the times get rough, especially when the end of the season is upon us. At least we are in this, folks, not every team can say that. Even if its not perfect circumstances we could still win this, who knows? And if not, oh well, at least we had fun rooting the bucs on in the process. As for Gruden, appreciate that he and Monte have gotten us here, and hopefully we can overcome adversity and make these playoffs and a run! GO BUCS!
While I do have a sinking feeling about the way the last few weeks have gone for us, with us losing 2 big division games and Monte (officially), I also believe that this team would have ZERO chance if we didn't have Jon Gruden.
Like he said above we are 9-5, and no one was complaining not long ago when we were whipping ass. So don't abandon ship all of a sudden and act like we have the sorriest coach in the league just because we don't win them all. Even if we don't go all the way its ok, thats part of what being a fan is about- supporting your team when the times get rough, especially when the end of the season is upon us. At least we are in this, folks, not every team can say that. Even if its not perfect circumstances we could still win this, who knows? And if not, oh well, at least we had fun rooting the bucs on in the process. As for Gruden, appreciate that he and Monte have gotten us here, and hopefully we can overcome adversity and make these playoffs and a run! GO BUCS!
3:05pm, December 15, 2008
tjones
bring in mccown if he loses at least its not greise getting sacked and losing.
and im sick of the rat bastard refs.
and im sick of the rat bastard refs.
3:14pm, December 15, 2008
Leave a Comment
INSIDER ARTICLES |
Pewter Prospect: LB Sean Weatherspoon
Do the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a need for a fiery linebacker that is a...
PI Quick Hits
Are the Bucs going to be inactive in free agency every year going forward?...
Draft Position Rankings
Pewter Report breaks down the 2010 NFL Draft by defining the top five...
Bucs Have Passed On Some Talent, But At Least One Possible Trade Still Exists
What trade recently went down in the NFL that the Bucs should have pulled...
Pewter Prospect: WR Arrelious Benn
Do the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a need for a wide receiver with a quality...
MORE ARTICLES |
