Kiffin confirms he's bound for UT

Defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin has confirmed what seemed likely all along: He's joining his son at the University of Tennessee after the season.

"I made the decision last weekend and I went back and forth," Kiffin said. "It was a very, very hard decision because of players, our fans. When you've been in a place since 1996, you don't just jump ship. I've had other opportunities. There was one that came up last year that was a great opportunity and people don't even know for sure about the whole thing. But I stayed here, decided to sign back up for two years. But the club was very good about giving me the option to go with my son."

Lane Kiffin recently took the job as head coach at Tennessee, and it seemed like the perfect opportunity for he and his father to do something they've talked about for years: work together.

"It boiled down to one thing: It was your son, and that's what it is," Kiffin said. "I love these players. I addressed it Wednesday. I told (General Manager) Bruce (Allen). Jon (Gruden) was the first person I told. The head coach, he should know first. I told the defensive staff before I went downstairs at a quarter 'til 4. We had a team meeting at 4 o'clock and the whole team was there.

"I told them kind of what I'm telling you. I said, "Guys, this was a tough decision. I went back and forth. I said I just want you to know now. I didn't think it was right to keep carrying it out."

Comments

[BBFan10]

Should have waited until the Bucs season was over, that would have been the class thing to do. I would have said in exchange for us graciously letting you out of your contract early without a penalty, you do not breath a word about this until the season is over. College ball is a WORLD apart from the NFL and coaches usually struggle with the transition. I have a feeling he knows this and is only trying to help his son out, but I think he will prolong the inevitable. Lane has never been a head coach in college, I hope UT is patient because I don't see it going well at first. I wonder if the Bucs suddenly not being able to stop the run coincides with this decision in any way or is it fatigue and injuries?

[Opinion Master]

Though I hate to see him leave, life is short, he's done much in the
NFL, including a Super bowl, so why not spend some of your last remaining years as a cosch with family?

thanks Kiff. and good luck, but before you leave, could you please remind the Bucs defenders how to tackle and play your defense??

[pharmerica]

Kiffin has been a part of a cover two Tampa Scheme that has proved over time to be as consistant as they come and he deserves to take up other opportunities including working with his son. I would agree this could have waiting till the end of the season. But I also would have liked to know as soon as possible if I was the player or organazation. It's a tough situation no matter how you look at it. I'm at the point where I would like to see this offense go 4 to 7 years being a explosive offense and a subpar defense. (lol) Nothing last forever and change is what this franchise needs on all fronts. Whoever is coaching this team I'll support. Go Bucs!!

[graydon]

Thanks for the memories Monte. I will miss watching you prowl the sidelines. Good luck!

[Vince]

BBFan10, that is what Kiffin intended to do, but Kiffin was forced to respond to questions after Sapp declared that Kiffin told the team he was going to UT. Nice of Sapp to settle a grudge by outing Kiffin. Sapp -- always such a class guy.

[Greg285]

Kiffin showed no class by making his decision to go to Tennessee at distraction during the season! He should have put the rumor to rest and focused on the TEAM! Instead, he showed the same class his son did by undermining the Bucs like Lane did the Raiders. Sapp was right about Monte,no matter what anyone says....

[Sean]

This is a big blow, no matter who you replace Kiff with. The Bucs really need to find a dominant pass rusher(s) this off-season. They will not be dominant again until they do.

[Tom M]

Man, I am happy for Monte. Do what makes you happy. You owe the fans here nothing... except this didn't have to be announced and discussed now. How about asking Lane to keep his mouth shut till the end of the season. Ditto for you Monte! We don' need this now.

Congratulations, but come on! We need consistency to get to the end of the season without 3 or 4 loses.

Carolina was a defensive embarrasment and so was the majority of the Atlanta game. For God's sakes Griese, Griese threw or 200+ yards. Arggggghhh.

[Jay]

How is it classless to let everyone know from the top down what your decision is? Now, the questions from the press will revolve around the team, not around the rumors of Monte Kiffin leaving the coaching staff. I personally think it was the LEAST distracting thing he could have done. He has been the greatest thing to happen to this franchise, and I wish him all the best at his new position at UT with his son. Thank you for everything, Monte. You deserve to be in Canton.

[Vince]

Greg285:

That is such a stupid comment that we will all assume you are just trying to stir things up.

[BBFan10]

Jay, it is classless because despite how they have played lately, they are fighting for a playoff position with two games remaining to be played. Kiffin has been the only rock in Tampa for the past 12 years and to find out that he is leaving during a playoff drive has got to have an impact on the players. Look how emotional NFL football is and the players are, do you think there is any doubt in their minds when it comes to their coordinator from her until the end of the season?. I like and respect Kiffin and of course wish him the best, but he should have told the media, "I will not address questions about my future until AFTER the season" out of respect for this season. He could have told Allen and Gruden whatever he wanted in private, but keep to your self until the final snap of football this season.

[Brandon Black]

WOW Guys!!! For all of the people on this post, if you have a son, then why should you question monte's decision!!! It is only football, which I love, but we are all humans. Atleast in some sence. Wether he is going to Tennessee or East Carolina, he is doing what a father does and anyone that doesn't respect that is stupid. I am sure Tennessee was not Monte's first pick, but he will make a impact. Give the guy some love!!!!

[DR]

BBFan10, I don't care how or when Kiffin makes his decision and when he tells everyone, he has that respect. He could be slapping an elderly woman while he's announcing his decision and he is still correct in his timing.
Maybe the defense will pick it up the next two games to honor the man.
Kiffin really had no choice but to announce it now. #1, the media will cause it to be a distraction. Guess what question won't be asked the next two weeks? #2, it helps the recruiting for UT to know that a NFL legend is coming to town.

[DR]

Brandon, i agree. What a dream job to be working with the fam at such a high level. If Laine Kiffin would have been hired by any other franchise besides Oakland, Monte would have been gone last year.

[VolinP'Cola]

He told the team last week, and they chose to leak it to the media ie. Warren Sapp. He would have been crucified if he would have denied it till the end of the season. There is not a reason in the world he should not have let everyone know, he is leaving after this season not during it. It should not affect any players in the least till the off season.

[Erick]

Hey maybe they'll play harder now. We'll miss ya. Now maybe Gruden will declare he is leaving to be the offensive coordinator.

[Brandon Black]

WOW Guys!!! For all of the people on this post, if you have a son, then why should you question monte's decision!!! It is only football, which I love, but we are all humans. Atleast in some sence. Wether he is going to Tennessee or East Carolina, he is doing what a father does and anyone that doesn't respect that is stupid. I am sure Tennessee was not Monte's first pick, but he will make a impact. Give the guy some love!!!!

[Dave]

And the Bucs have lost 2 str8 games since then. Thanks, thanks alot. Shoulda kept it to yourself till the end of the season.

[DR]

Vince, all you do is show your hatred for Sapp. Sapp did what all commentators do, he had a big scoop and let it be known. He's trying to make himself something in the commentating business. Did the same thing Bettis did.

[John]

Monte, please bring us a Super Bowl before you leave. Tampa Bay will truly miss you!

[mrgator]

With national signing day coming in under 2 months, recruits need to know their D coordinator. Plus Monte deserves a curtain call in the final home games. He will be missed.

As a Gator fan, is it wrong to hate Monte?

[Rarebeef]

No Mr. gator, It is not wrong to hate him but it is wrong to think we r not coming for that azz. GO VOLS!!!! Don't call it a come back " LL Cool J"

[BBFan10]

NOBODY on this post has questioned his decision, not one single post. Some of us have questioned his timing to GO PUBLIC with the news, that is all. We all love Monte and wish him the best, but we feel it would have been best to not say anything about it until AFTER the season. I think the point is valid and the distinction is clear. Monte Kiffin has been the best coach at Tampa Bay over the years and quite possibly one of the best defensive coordinators in NFL history. Just wish he would have waited, that's all.

[e]

The greatest defensive dynasty in the history of the NFL...
It was a great ride. All the best Monte and thanks so much!
e

[Dave]

To clarify my earlier comment: I think this is a completely classless and selfish decision on Kiffens' part. Both Kiffens to be honest. Monte is still under contract to the Bucs for 2009! I understand wanting to help your son... I have kids too... but you are contractually obligated to this Bucs team. At the very least, Monte should have had the common decency to keep this quiet until the Bucs season was over. Teams struggle with distractions all the time, just look at the entire NFC East for examples. This was an unnecessary and completely avoidable distraction, and our Bucs are 0-2 since this has gone down.

[James]

Should have waited until the Bucs season was over, that would have been the class thing to do.

Posted by: BBFan10 | December 14, 2008 at 06:03 PM

Oh go take a hike clown.

fuc*in' idiot.

[BBFan10]

James,

You are a complete jerk, many people share this opinion and that is what this is on these posts, OPINIONS, if you can't take it, get lost you pathetic little boy. I tried to reason there, sorry, I forgot about your very limited capabilities so let me type in a language you MIGHT be able to understand, low IQ a#* clown. James, your momma is calling for you to turn off your computer, you cry baby loser. IDIOT.

[skp]

you can't stop the media - once they have a piece of info, it's no longer about monte's timeline. he can either lie and be called classless by some or tell the truth and be called classless by others

[plates]

"I am sure Tennessee was not Monte's first pick".....Sorry Tampa Bay fans, but in Tennessee we are very happy to have Monte. He will like it here. We arguably have the best facilities in the nation for football and basketball, and have over 100,000 people attend our games. Coach Fulmer left with one of the top winning percentages in the nation, and has a national championship to his credit. As for the timing issue, Lane had to tell recruits and others Monte is coming. Would you rather your team hear about the decision second hand, after rumours had been circulating for weeks? He did the right thing by addressing the issue, and apparently Mr. Sapp went out of his way to cause disunity. Good luck to the Bucs, but I gotta pull for Mr. Manning (Tennessee was his first pick!).

[bucfaninphx]

Once Lane got the job there was no way this was not going to be a distraction.Monte coaching for him was the number one story as soon as Lane was hired. So I'm glad he finally announced his decision instead of keeping everyone in limbo and wondering what the future of our defense would be. Now hopefully the defense plays lights out the next two weeks to show the guy what he meant to the the team and the franchise can really start to focus on who will be the next defensive coordinator.For those who feel the need to hate someone send it towards Tennesee. They knew they were getting a package deal when they hired Lane...lol...Go Bucs!!!

[Drew]

A franchise QB with YA Tittle's mobility, Joe Montana's smarts, Brett Favre's arm, Tom Brady's composure and Dan Marino's quick release is all I want for Christmas.

Josh Johnson? Maybe... However, we'll never know, because Gruden will never play him.

[Drew]

The Tenessee Defense should be outstanding for years to come. Monte, we Love you and wish you nothing but the best. Thank You for the Tampa 2.

[Mark]

You people saying Monte has no class have never met the man so STFU. This man is the epitome of class and was forced to say something. Be glad he was the Bucs coach for this long and be happy for the man and him being able to coach with his son. As for it being a distraction, do you honestly think that any one of these (well) PAID players is going to be on the field thinking about Monte making this move? That's laughable. Congrats Monte!

[kyop]

If Monty hadn't announced, he would have had to lie to the media for weeks. The same people saying he is classless for telling his decision now would call him a liar then. I'm grateful to have had the best defensive coordinator in the NFL for over a decade. Show some appreciation instead of turning on him like a pack of dogs.

Class indeed!