Monte Kiffin’s passing marks the end of an era for football. His contributions to the game, especially through the innovative Tampa 2 defensive scheme, left a lasting legacy. His work with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, leading them to their first Super Bowl title, will always be remembered. At 84, he leaves behind a rich history in both the NFL and college football.
“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 Ronde Barber,” the Glazers added. “Off the field, Monte was kind, genuine, gracious and always had a positive attitude. He was very special to the Buccaneers organization and our family.”
Warren Sapp was named NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1999, and Derrick Brooks earned the same honor in 2002, the year Tampa Bay’s defense was top-ranked and they dominated the Oakland Raiders in the Super Bowl. Under Monte Kiffin’s tenure, Tampa Bay’s defense led the NFL in fewest points allowed per game (17.5), ranked second in takeaways (293) and yards allowed per game (286.8), third in interceptions (249), and 10th in sacks (503).
“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,” the Glazer family, which owns the Buccaneers and inducted Kiffin into the team’s Ring of Honor three years ago, said in a statement.
With Brooks, Sapp, Lynch, Barber and Simeon Rice leading the way, the 2002 Bucs defense became the first unit since the 1985 Super Bowl-winning Chicago Bears to lead the league in fewest points allowed (196), yards allowed per game (252.8), and interceptions (31) in the same season.
From Lexington, Nebraska, Kiffin played tackle at the University of Nebraska and was a defensive assistant under Bob Devaney for the Cornhuskers’ 1970 and 1971 undefeated national championship teams.
In a career that spanned more than five decades, Kiffin also worked at Arkansas and as an NFL assistant for the Green Bay Packers, Buffalo Bills, Minnesota Vikings, New York Jets, New Orleans Saints and Dallas Cowboys.
After leaving the Bucs, he mostly worked for son, Lane, in college stops at Tennessee, Southern California, Florida Atlantic and Mississippi.
