Former NFL defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin, who spent 50 years coaching in the college and pro ranks, has died. He was 84.
The news was first announced by Ole Miss, whose head football coach, Lane Kiffin, is Monte's son.
Kiffin died with family and friends at his side, the announcement said. He has been serving as defensive analyst for the Rebels since 2020.
"As his grandson Knox said, he's free of pain and smiling down on us from above," the school said in a post to X. "Please keep the Kiffin family in your thoughts and prayers during this time."
Monte Kiffin, 84, peacefully passed away today in Oxford surrounded by family and friends. As his grandson Knox said, he’s free of pain and smiling down on us from above.
Please keep the Kiffin family in your thoughts and prayers during this time. pic.twitter.com/eM1HT2lGHx
— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) July 11, 2024
Kiffin recently became the first and only member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Ring of Honor, as noted by Andrea Adelson of ESPN.
"Kiffin spent 13 seasons as defensive coordinator with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers," Adelson wrote. "His work with Tony Dungy to build the vaunted 'Tampa 2' scheme helped the Bucs win the Super Bowl in 2002 and was copied by several other teams around the league.
"During Kiffin's tenure with Tampa Bay, its defense allowed the fewest points per game (17.5) while ranking second in both yards allowed per game (286.8) and total takeaways (293)."
The Glazer family, which owns the Buccaneers, called Kiffin a "beloved and iconic member of the Buccaneers family." He was honored by the Pro Football Hall of Fame via its Awards for Excellence program this past March.
"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 said. "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."
My Hero 💜♥️ @NCStateFB @Vikings pic.twitter.com/gHPAbrUQF1
— Lane Kiffin (@Lane_Kiffin) July 11, 2024
