Remembering Monte Kiffin: Legendary NFL assistant, father of Lane Kiffin, made impact in college football

Monte Kiffin, a longtime defensive coordinator at both the NFL and college levels, died Thursday at the age of 84. While Kiffin was renowned for his innovation with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he is credited with the proliferation of the “Tampa 2” defense, Kiffin’s origin — and plenty of his impact — can be traced to the collegiate game, where he routinely paired with his son, Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin. 

The elder Kiffin got his start as an assistant at Nebraska. Before he broke into the coaching game, he was an offensive and defensive lineman with the Huskers from 1959-63, playing under the likes of Bill Jennings and College Football Hall of Famer Bob DeVaney. 

He was even selected in the 15th round of the 1964 NFL Draft, though he was unable to stick around as a player after bouncing around both the Continental Football League and the Canadian Football League. It was after that brief professional foray that he decided to turn his attention towards coaching. 

DeVaney granted Kiffin his first opportunity, propelling him to a lengthy career — almost entirely as an assistant — that took him around the country. Here’s a look back at Kiffin’s collegiate coaching career, from the very start all the way through his return to lend his family a hand.  

Making an impact at his alma mater

Kiffin began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Nebraska in 1966, two years after he made a difference on the gridiron for the Huskers. In 1969, he was promoted to defensive coordinator and served under DeVaney. 

Together, the two won four Big Eight titles and consecutive national championships from 1970-71. When DeVaney stepped down in 1972, he tabbed offensive coordinator Tom Osborne as his successor. Kiffin retained his position as…

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Author : Will Backus

Publish date : 2024-07-12 14:53:49

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