Kiffin: It's just speculation

Defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin downplayed reports that he is leaning toward joining his son, Lane, on the University of Tennessee coaching staff, saying "it's all just speculation."

Monte Kiffin has one year remaining on a two-year contract extension he signed in January. But with his son reportedly to be named head coach at Tennessee on Monday, Kiffin is reported to be seriously considering becoming his defensive coordinator.

If so, the elder Kiffin wouldn't go there Sunday.

"I'm just telling you, I can honestly tell you it's just speculation, just like it came up with the Raiders," he said. "It came up two years ago. It came up last year. I'm still here. All I'll talk about and focus on is Monday Night Football, Carolina Panthers, and how about the game we just played?"

It's believed that Lane Kiffin was rebuffed by Raiders owner Al Davis in an effort to hire his father after last season, when Lane was Oakland's coach. Kiffin also has been linked to job opportunities in recent years with the 49ers and Rams, who were considering him for head-coach vacancies.

Asked about the story, coach Jon Gruden said, "It's an outstanding opportunity for Lane and I'm happy for him. He's a good coach and a great guy. . . I know this: We don't want to lose (Monte). He's my friend and, obviously, I want for Monte to answer those questions."

Comments

[IdahoBUCfan]

Please stay a BUC 5-10 more years until retirement Coach Kiffin! Even though many of our fans seem les than grateful, some of us appreciate you Monte, coach Gruden, and the rest of the staff very much! I feel like we have chemistry on this team, and that you have been a Huge part of where we are as a franchise! Thank you for all your hard work, and Please continue here with the men that you have been leading for so long! Great win again this week, GO BUCS!

[bucfaninphx]

amen! well said.We need him here. He is a Buccaneer for life!!!

[Jay]

Ok, worst case scenario - we lose Monte at the end of the year. Who's next in line for the job? Raheem Morris?

[TriplePlay]

If Kiffin weren't here Gruden would have at least 25 less wins than he has now.

Monte knows defense and has rebuilt this D with a just a few hiccups.

We need you Monte but I don't blame him if he left to help his son out. The VOLS need a lot of help.

[Big Pat]

I don't think anyone would begrudge Monte after all he's done for our fair franchise. By the same token, it will be a sad day indeed when he leaves, by whichever route he may choose-

[DR]

Don't disrespect Monte by putting the other guy's name in the same sentence as his. Monte was here before him and is the only reason this team has had as many wins as they have in the past decade.

[Mike S]

Monte was here before Gruden. The D has always been the champ with him, I hope he doesn't leave until he retires. But, if he chooses sweeter pastures, more to him (after the Superbowl here, please ;))

[BuccanBobby]

Hey DR(short for drivel-dribble-drab-drone)....we all know of your disdain for Gruden. Get over it, or take your mundane and pathetic rap somewhere else.
All that's counted are "W's". Style points are not added or taken away because of your fondness or dislike for a coach. Congratulations Bucs for winning a tough game against a great offensive team. Go Bucs!
BuccanB.

[Valrico Rick]

I would like to know how this nonsense works! "Hey Dad I'm going to coach the Vols, want to join me?" "Sure son, but keep it quiet I'm still under contract!" Meanwhile their phones are tapped, or somebody is listening outside with a parabolic microphone? Maybe Lane told his best friend who is really a spy that ESPN is paying to spy on him and he isn't really his friend? Rumors, nothing but rumors! Somebody started this rumor to stir it up and get attention for themselves, and the negative impact on the Bucs if the media won't let it die will be counter productive to the Bucs Champship hopes! Let it go, and the strongest 'Nuff Said I hvae ever Said!!!

[Banjo Jones]

If Coach Kiffin leaves after this season, it would be appropriate to place him in the Bucs' Ring of Honor that will be unveiled next year.

(But I hope he doesn't leave.)

[Wizards Sleeve]

Wait! Wait! Wait! Hold on here!!!
bucs championship hopes? Are you dreaming or just on some strong painkillers? Maybe you'll get to play the Giants again with worse results! They are better now! Are the bucs? Really?? Can't put away teams like the Giants have! You probably thought the bucs were going to go undefeated after lucking into the superbowl and getting pleasure of playing the lowly raiders that had no defense that year and you knew all their plays before they ran them. The NFL gave you a gift!!! The Steelers would have blown you out of the galaxy like they did that year around Christmas on Monday night football!!! What a fluke being put in the lowly NFC south that year against three rookie QBs. You even lost twice to the Saints, a new NFL record. What was your record the next couple years after the Superbowl? A new NFL record
for losing! Ask any other NFL fan and they will tell you what a fluke that year was. The NFL needed a feel good story from worst to first. They made it happen too!! The Wizard has spoken!!!!

[WS]

'Nuff said!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm looking for the English class on the 3rd floor. an you steer me in the right direction? I'm from a mobile home park in Valrico.

[Valrico Rick]

These blogs aren't about attacking the other bloggers, they are supposed to be about the Bucs! I don't know what it is with you people! You just can't stay on point, so here it is and get it right! 'Nuff Said below!!!(3 always 3)

This is where it all goes bad for the Bucs! Some butthead decides to make up a story connecting Kiffen to his son and the Vols, and the media wipes jump on it like a couple of Vick's dogs on a poodle! Nobody knows, just let it go! 'NUFF SAID!!!

[Oldcrank]

At 70, I can see why Monte might take a pay cut to work with his son. Were that the case, it is noteworthy that our defensive play has improved dramatically with the return of Raheem Morris.
Bissaci(sp)might be eyeing that opportunity but Morris looks better to me. Cudos to Clifton Smith, who continues to impress.

[Jason]

I think he'll stay. If Monte's the kind of guy I assume he is, he'll want his kid to make his own way. If Kiffin went there, he'd over-shadow his kid and I don't think a good father would want to do that. It's that tricky balance between wanting to help your kid and letting him find his own way. It's like that whole "give a man a fish, or teach him to fish" thing. Lane's gotta find his own way.

Sadly, if Monte leaves... Rod Marinelli may be looking for a job. Not that he's to blame for the Lions' mess, but he'll probably be let go, as they'll be looking for change. The Bucs players love him and I think he's a good coach. Why not bring him back?

[Jason]

One more thing on how these things get started. Lots of times, it's just newswriters needing something to write about. Family is a natural connection. That's why it came up when he was with the Raiders too. Another take though... You think people may be stirring this up, just to get a reaction and maybe try to shake up our team chemistry and all? Just saying.

[JD]

Stephen -- I am a little shocked this is getting so much attention. Isn't this Bucs front office the one that has consistently taken the position that a contract is valid and will be enforced until it runs out? If so, what makes the media (and I don't mean this as an attack) think the front office will actually let Kiffin out of his contract. It seems to me that Kiffin has two choices - coach for the Bucs next year or sit out a year. Unless the Bucs get paid a lot from Tenn -- which they won't do to get Kiffin -- I don't see how this could ever pan out. Is there something I am missing here?

[JH]

Since we are speculating, there might be a number of new QBs around that the Bucs can pick up next year. I know that this discussion is VERY premature, but there is the possibility that Garcia won't be around next year. What about Matt Cassell, Matt Hasselbeck (Peter King reported that the Seahawks might let him go after this year), and Derek Anderson (assuming he recovers from the injury suffered yesterday)?

[bucfaninphx]

Garcia better be here next year. he deserves it. IF Monte were to leave i would have to believe it would be Raheem Morris. Players and staff have been raving about this guy so I say we give him a shot...but please stay Monte!! lol

[Dave]

Nuff is not recognized in the English vocabulary.

[Observer]

Without Garcia the bucs offense is in trouble. He is the offense and they better keep him around as long as he can scramble and throw.

Go Jeff