Monte Kiffin, longtime NFL defensive coordinator and key architect of 'Tampa 2' scheme, dies at 84

Monte Kiffin, a seasoned assistant coach for NFL and college teams, who was well-known for his top-ranking Tampa Bay defenses, passed away on Thursday in Tampa, Florida. He was 84 years old.

Kiffin, a key architect of the highly successful “Tampa 2” defensive scheme, served as the Buccaneers’ defensive coordinator for 13 seasons from 1996 to 2008. Working under former coaches Tony Dungy and Jon Gruden, he contributed to the franchise’s first of two Super Bowl victories.

The Old Miss football program announced on the social media platform X that Kiffin, once the head coach at North Carolina State, died surrounded by family and friends in Oxford, Mississippi, where Kiffin’s son, Lane, is coach of the Rebels.

“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.

The Glazers further added, “Monte’s vibrant and passionate leadership style deeply touched all his players. He played a critical role in our inaugural Super Bowl victory and the accomplishments of Hall of Famers like Warren Sapp, Derrick Brooks, John Lynch, and Ronde Barber. Off the field, he was a man of genuine kindness, grace, and always maintained a positive demeanor. He held a special place in the Buccaneers organization and our family.”

In 1999, Sapp was named NFL Defensive Player of the Year, while Brooks received the same honor in 2002. That year, Tampa Bay boasted the league’s number one defense and trounced the Oakland Raiders in the Super Bowl.

While he was with the Bucs, Tampa Bay’s defense was leading the NFL in allowing the fewest points per game at 17.5. They were second in takeaways with 293 and in yards allowed per game with 286.8. They ranked third in interceptions with 249 and 10th in sacks with 503.

The 2002 Bucs defense, led by Brooks, Sapp, Lynch, Barber, and Simeon Rice, made history by becoming the first unit to lead the league in fewest points allowed (196), yards allowed per game (252.8), and interceptions (31) in the same season since the 1985 Super Bowl-winning Chicago Bears.

Hailing from Lexington, Nebraska, Kiffin played tackle at the University of Nebraska. He later served as a defensive assistant under Bob Devaney for the Cornhuskers, contributing to their undefeated national championship teams in 1970 and 1971.

Kiffin, whose career lasted over five decades, also had stints at Arkansas and as an NFL assistant for teams such as the Green Bay Packers, Buffalo Bills, Minnesota Vikings, New York Jets, New Orleans Saints, and Dallas Cowboys.

After he left the Bucs, he primarily worked with his son, Lane, at various college positions including Tennessee, Southern California, Florida Atlantic, and Ole Miss.