Monte Kiffin Returns
March 21st, 2016
The Bucs’ iconic defensive coordinator is still grinding away, fighting Father Time to the end.
No, Joe’s not talking about Lovie Smith.
Today, the Jacksonville Jaguars announced the hiring of 76-year-old Monte Kiffin. He’ll be a defensive assistant under Gus Bradley, helping new coordinator Todd Wash, the Bucs’ former defensive line coach, acclimate to his role.
Kiffin was out of football last year, after the Cowboys ousted him as their defensive coordinator. Kiffin was the head of the horrible Dallas defense in 2013. He was pushed aside for Rod Marinelli in 2014, when Kiffin primarily was a figure head and advisor.
Joe’s glad to see Kiffin still around and coaching. He’s always been one of those guys whose DNA won’t allow him to sit on his couch or call Monday Night Football games.
March 21st, 2016 at 10:21 am
I remember looking at Monte Kiffin in Tampa and thinking “that man is so old he’ll drop dead any minute”.
And yet…still tickin’.
March 21st, 2016 at 10:22 am
Father-time caught up not only with the Tampa-2 and Daddy of Tampa-2, what are you thinkin’ Jacksonville?
March 21st, 2016 at 10:42 am
If you can rush the passer any defense can work in this league. Our problem on defense over the last 7 years is personnel related. Now did Lovie do a bad job as defensive coordinator? Hell yeah, but I feel that too many fans and media have been players a pass for their poor play.
March 21st, 2016 at 10:43 am
giving players a pass
March 21st, 2016 at 10:45 am
Hell our defense hasn’t been s#!t since he left Tampa. Wjen Monte was DC, our defense was in the top 10 regularly. How many times have we been top 10 since he left?
March 21st, 2016 at 10:56 am
lovie lost the fight against Father Time, and Father Competence apparently!!!!!
March 21st, 2016 at 10:57 am
Bucs have been a sad joke every since he announced he was quitting in Tampa. The defense has been particularly poor since then. Don’t underestimate the significance of coaching.
March 21st, 2016 at 10:59 am
The OG lost his touch a long time ago. Remember the 4 game stretch that got Chucky fired? Remember Monte told the team in the midst of their playoff run that he would be leaving to coach with his son? Yup. I remember him alright.
March 21st, 2016 at 11:13 am
@DallasBuc and Ray Rice
I had to travel for work a lot at that time. Lets just say I say Monte At Tampa Airport a couple of times on Monday morning!!! During the week he was leaving for recruiting trips. So how was running the Defense during the week????? coach rah!!!!! I still am surprised that really no local media would report that at the time!!!!!
March 21st, 2016 at 11:30 am
@ray rice, realist,
I remember the 08 collapse quite well. We were 9-3, tied for first place. (Can you even imagine saying we’re 9-3 right now?). Anyways, kiffin announced he was leaving with 4 games left, and we proceeded to lose all 4 games. The defense was flat out non-existent after that. I remember brooks playing on a broken ankle, trying to run guys down, but couldn’t…
March 21st, 2016 at 12:07 pm
Why do people keep saying the Tampa 2 is dead?
Half the league uses it at times through the games.
It can even be the base defense still as long as other stuff is mixed in and as long as there is a pass rush from the front 4.
March 21st, 2016 at 12:16 pm
Kiffin killed this team by quitting and they’ve yet to recover
March 21st, 2016 at 12:56 pm
I recall the collapse as well, we have been boned since.
March 21st, 2016 at 1:31 pm
I was just sitting with Greg Olsen at the Las Vegas airport and he mentioned this to me. How ironic I see this post shortly after. Good for Monte.
March 21st, 2016 at 1:54 pm
Versions of the Tampa 2 exist – but it’s mainly a shell cover. Running an actual Tampa 2, according to players and coaches, requires precision – which is a huge problem when one player is out of place due to lack of knowledge or talent. Rotating players in and out like Lovie did with the CB’s, and you’re asking for trouble. If you have studs across the board and in perfect position due to years of training (see Bucs D circa 2002), then it’s almost unbeatable.
March 21st, 2016 at 2:37 pm
The Kiffen led Bucs defense was one of the best and most enduring defensive achievements in NFL history.
Yet – I still can’t get over the way Kiffen handled his departure. Told the team he was leaving a month before the season was over with the Bucs sitting at 9-3. The result was a total collapse – losing 4 straight games – misssing the playoffs and led to the (misguided) firing of the best HC this team ever had. SMH
March 21st, 2016 at 3:56 pm
Ray Rice Says
“The OG lost his touch a long time ago. Remember the 4 game stretch that got Chucky fired? Remember Monte told the team in the midst of their playoff run that he would be leaving to coach with his son? Yup. I remember him alright.”
Don’t blame that on Monte.
Good players that respected him would have used it as motivation.
March 21st, 2016 at 5:31 pm
We once saw him jogging around the neighborhood while we were tailgating, just before the game. That was probably 15 years ago. I imagine he is still very active. The Jags’ staff will do nothing but benefit from having him around.
Put this man in the ring of honor!
March 21st, 2016 at 5:35 pm
I don’t blame him one but for being real with his guys. Spoke to them like men. By all accounts, by any video or audio, this is how he carries himself. Those 4 games were the beginning of very dark times but can’t be blamed on one man.
March 21st, 2016 at 5:59 pm
Espo Says:
March 21st, 2016 at 5:35 pm
Those 4 games were the beginning of very dark times but can’t be blamed on one man.
Espo – I agree – it was on the players to man up and play to their capabilities despite the “adversity” of knowing they were losing their coach.
And yet – how different would Bucs history be the last 7 years if Kiffen had just kept his mouth shut about leaving until the end of the 2008 season?? Gruden might even still be here…
Then again we wouldn’t have Winston so that’s the Universal answer to ALL negative woulda shoulda coulda’s regarding the last 7 years…