The godfather of the Bucs defense, Monte Kiffin, could seize an opportunity to coach with his son Lane Kiffin in Tennessee. Just say it ain't so, Monte.

Well, it looks like Chucky might have been caught in a truth when he denied all those rumors of him replacing Phil Fulmer at the University of Tennessee.

A sports radio report today out of Knoxville, 990 AM The Sports Animal, said Lane Kiffin has been offered the Tennessee job.

University officials denied the report but not their interest in Kiffin.

Hamilton has not “offered” the job to Kiffin but contractual parameters have been discussed, a person briefed on the situation told ESPN’s Joe Schad.

Two sources told ESPN.com that they expect the search to be wrapped up next week and that Kiffin is at the forefront of that search. Speculation on Tennessee’s final candidates centers on Kiffin, Brian Kelly of Cincinnati, Gary Patterson of TCU and Tim Brewster of Minnesota.

Now, the burning question for Bucs fans is whether Monte Kiffin will join his son Lane.

Joe told you months ago that father and son were being pursued as a package deal by Clemson. Subsequently, longtime college football scribe Tom Dienhart said in a radio interview last week that “it’s almost a done deal” that Monte Kiffin will follow Lane Kiffin to whatever job he takes.

So here we are. Lane Kiffin probably will have a job next week. And the Monte Watch will be on.

For now, expect Monte Kiffin to say all the Bucs company-man comments, including he has no plans to join Lane. But all bets are off after the season.

Joe thinks Monte will stay with the Buccaneers and Lane was just offering him around as a carrot to help land a top job. But nobody knows how badly Monte might want to work with his son.

Family is family.