Deal Almost Done; Monte Kiffin to Tennessee

by The Bull Gator on Nov 30, 2008 12:58 PM EST in News Comment 24 comments

ESPN.com and Chris Mortensen are reporting Monte Kiffin will join his son Lane at Tennessee after the Bucs' season is over.

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I just threw up in my mouth...I can't believe it, is this really the end of an era?

If so, Secondary Coach Raheem Morris is my pick for the job, my second guess is another inhouse selection with Assoc. Head Coach Larry Coyer. I doubt they bring back Rod Marinelli after he gets axed especially how we treated his son in law Joe Barry by not letting him out of his contract. My long shot pick would be Marvin Lewis when he gets canned by the Bungals. Any other guesses?

by TheUltimateBucFan on Nov 30, 2008 1:58 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

2nd for Raheem Morris

I think Coach Morris would continue the defensive tradition that Kiffin will leave behind. But with that said, PLEASE DON’T GO MONTE! We’ve treated you good here buddy.

by LinuxTX on Nov 30, 2008 4:36 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm all for keeping it in-house.

I’m not sure I want Lewis as we need someone who has been here and seen how it works. Not that he can’t be good, but I’m all for the guys that have learned under Monte.

by The Bull Gator on Nov 30, 2008 2:10 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I would LOVE to have Lovie Smith (no pun intended) as the next DC, but we all know that won't happen...

What about an old DC named Herm Edwards? He likely will be available and needs to strengthen his stature to get another head coaching job.

by TheUltimateBucFan on Nov 30, 2008 2:38 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Gotta remember...

…some of those old guys were Dungy guys and not Gruden guys. Not sure how Gruden would feel about bringing them back. We’ll see I guess.

I think with the players returning, now’s the perfect time to promote a guy and let him learn on the job almost. You have a few leaders that should be back and some great young talent. It wouldn’t be like he was being thrown to the wolves.

by The Bull Gator on Nov 30, 2008 2:50 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

gonna miss him.. if true !!!

all i have to say is hopefully the glazers know what he means to all of us and start throwing huge dollar signs his way . Monte is Tampa bay and we need to some how show him we need him !!! anyone start a stay kiffin website please!!!

by the420bucsfan on Nov 30, 2008 5:49 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I hate to say it...

…but I don’t think this is a money issue. I think Kiffin knows he only wants to coach for a few more years and the thought to help his son rebuild one of the great college programs is too much to turn down. Blood is thicker than water and in this case the water is $ and/or the Bucs.

by The Bull Gator on Nov 30, 2008 6:24 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Of course...

…Monte did say it’s all just speculation, but he is a class guy and that was right after the Bucs’ win, so it was probably a move to take the focus off on him and put it on the Bucs.

by The Bull Gator on Nov 30, 2008 6:25 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Until it is confirmed, I am going to take these rumors with a grain of salt. Of course money isn't the issue....

But getting a once in a lifetime chance to coach with your son could be the turning point. According to the ESPN article, apparently the younger Kiffin wanted Monte when he was in Oakland so this is a long time coming. The Buccaneer in me says that Monte won’t leave because he loves the Bay Area, loves this team, and wants to retire here. Like I said before, he did sign an extention this past January so I will wait until he gives the word. Think about it though, Monte will be 69 next year. You really think he wants to start all over? Especially at the college level? Time will tell.

by TheUltimateBucFan on Nov 30, 2008 6:48 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

KIFFIN

He aint going nowhere…quit the rumor-mills.

by stixx692001 on Dec 1, 2008 8:47 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Uh...

…I’m not the one starting the rumors. I’m merely linking to an article that appeared on a major news source. They aren’t the only one saying he could be gone. Whether is happens or not, we’ll see. But all those same sources we right about the rumors of Lane getting the head coaching job at UT.

by The Bull Gator on Dec 1, 2008 10:02 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

When virtually every major sports news outlet

is confirming the rumor, it’s gone beyond the status of rumor mill. Sorry, looks like it’s gonna happen. It’s gonna be tough to deal with.

Cannons... fire them.

www.BucEm.com - SBNation's home for discussion of all things regarding the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

by Craig T on Dec 1, 2008 10:49 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

HAHAHAHA!!!

Volunteer Nation says THANK YOU!!!!

On a Side Note……GO DOLPHINS!!!!!!!!!!!

by VolunteerNationSaysTHANKYOU on Dec 15, 2008 3:36 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

It's OFFICIAL!!

http://www.govolsxtra.com/news/2008/dec/14/monte-kiffin-join-son-ut/

by VolunteerNationSaysTHANKYOU on Dec 15, 2008 3:36 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

And as for what was rumored about Kiffin with past jobs...

…Lane didn’t have the choice over whether to hire Monte at Oakland. He tried his best, but Al Davis wouldn’t have it. It’s not like Monte turned that job down.

I want Kiffin to stay as much as anyone. He is the one that makes the defense run. I love the guy. I’m just making sure we all know what’s going on and aren’t surprised if he does go.

by The Bull Gator on Dec 1, 2008 10:04 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Glazers will hold to the contract...

If we made Barry hold true to his employment contact, why not expect the BUCS will do the same to Monte. On the other side…it is Monte and out of respect for what he has done for this team the Glazers may grant his wish.

Certainly if he goes it is not for the money, but I wonder of Lane’s motivation to bring the his dad is more than just to work with him. Having Monte as your DC automatically brings creditability to your organization and would certainly help with recruiting. I’m not a college football fan but surely Tenn. must find it difficult to recruit against the other SEC teams and playing for Lane is not as big a sales pitch as playing for Mr. Tampa 2.

by angecorrado on Dec 1, 2008 12:40 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Rumor only

This is just another media attempt to create disharmony and agitation with the Bucs organization. Could it happen? Yes anything is possible if

1. You believe a Father wants to work for his son.
2. Monte wants to up root his family and move to Tennessee.
3. Monte wants to spend his golden years kissing the arses of 18 year olds to come to Tenn
4. Monte wants to teach a defense that takes years to execute properly with very specific personnel and is by no means an easy defense to learn.

Now lets see the reasons being floated by anxious Vol fans

1. Last month it was Jon Gruden was going to coach Tennessee
2. He wants to be with his son. Yeh Right!!
3. According to sources?? Kiffin’s deal is conditional on Monte coming?

absolutely absurd… Too much moonshine being drunk up there…

As I stated above anything is possible but until I see Monte saying he is officially leaving I am not buying it.

by BUC on Dec 1, 2008 8:25 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

More on the speculation front...

…okay now take this all for what it’s worth. Some people must think I want him to leave, but that’s the farthest thing from the truth. I’m just posting what I’ve heard and what the possibilities are. Here’s the latest…

Monte and his wife also may be viewing this as a great chance to be near their grandchildren. He knows he only has a couple of years left in coaching and is no spring chicken as it is, so this might give him an opportunity to work a few more years and be close to more of his family.

Again, it’s all just rumor and speculation until it actually happens. I’m just telling you all what I’m reading.

I will also say, as others have, even Monte himself has said it’s just speculation. Lane didn’t comment about it today either. What that means, I don’t know, but it does look like it could go either way.

I’m merely saying, don’t bet against it because it doesn’t seem to be 100% either way at the moment. However, Monte having the class he does, why wouldn’t he say it’s just speculation with the Bucs’ season still going? He doesn’t want to be a distraction to Tampa Bay.

by The Bull Gator on Dec 1, 2008 9:29 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

chris mortenson

chris mortenson dunno if i spelled the name right but o well .. this is the guy who said it was pretty much a done deal .. so can you trust him he just wants the storys first if it were adam shefter i’d believe it !!

by the420bucsfan on Dec 1, 2008 11:35 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

The only reason why we won a Superbowl was our defense

the only reason why we are in 1st place is our defense.. so please stay Monte!!

by Penaholic on Dec 2, 2008 1:40 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Chris Mortenson and rumors

Again I would never be so foolish to predict the future of someone I only have knowledge of through his public persona. Perhaps I just don’t have the great need media types seem to gravitate to be the first to report something that is rumor only. Mortenson is just another media hack trying flaunt his own self importance. If he is wrong no one will care or take him to task.

I just don’t see anything logical with the rumor.

I fail to see the attractiveness in having my son as my boss anymore than I would find a step down in prestige being a defensive coordinator for a college at a PAY CUT! Additionally, with added responsibilities of recruiting and training complete novices in a most sophisticated defense that very few pro teams have been able to master.

Monte is 68 years old! Now I am not as old as Monte but this makes no logical sense unless he is actually being kicked out the door by the Bucs. I sincerely doubt that would be the case especially when Monte states working for Gruden is a dream job because Gruden never questions any decisions he makes with the defense.

Now lets take another perspective would you as Lane want daddy to come and hold your hand?

Hey perhaps Monte has an entirely different private persona and an overwhelming need to work with his son as an employee to help him out. Stranger things have happened in sports. Heck when Athletes sacrifice 35 million dollar contracts to carry a gun and sacrifice 100 million dollars to torture dogs who knows what Kiffin will do. I guess I just don’t put him in such irrational company

by BUC on Dec 2, 2008 8:37 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Great points BUC...

…and I agree with most of them, but the big kicker is like you said in the last paragraph…we just don’t really know what he’s thinking.

I’m wondering what went on behind the scenes with Lane and Tenn. To me, he still seems like a questionable hire and I’m wondering if the “promise” (hollow or not) of being able to bring in some big names with him may have swayed the vote. Then again it seems like Brian Kelly was more focused on waiting to see Notre Dame’s situation then going to Tenn, so that could’ve been it to.

Anyway, like I’ve said before, I want Monte to stay, but at least part of me is unsure at the moment and it makes me nervous if only a little that our defensive guru might be in Knoxville next year.

by The Bull Gator on Dec 2, 2008 8:58 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Bull Gator

agree, the media certainly does love to stir the pot for whatever reason.

Unfortunately, as we all know “:coach speak” is the hardest of all to decipher.

Didn’t Tennessee also start the lead pipe lock that Gruden would replace Fulmer because Gruden’s wife was a cheerleader at Tennessee?

Personally despite Al Davis and his actively blackballing Lane I think he is an excellent hire by Tennessee.

Like yourself I would like to see Monte stay but I can actually see why the Bucs might not be as resistant to him moving on with the unsure future of Raheem whom they seem to really like and quite possibly elevate. There is also the possible return of Marinelli who seems about to be thrown out the door.

As to Monte I will be very surprised to see him move to Knoxville but stranger things have happened.

One thing I don’t buy into is the rumor that in order for Lane to be hired by Tenn, Monte had to come as well. Tenn I am sure has much in the way of resources but I can’t believe they have that much power over someone that is still a hot commodity in Lane to dictate such a deal.
That the KIffin family would bend over for that type of offer sounds very illogical and reeks of Volunteer homerism and pseudo- self importance of those connected with Tennessee. JMO

Hey I love CFB but seriously that is just too over the top for me…

by BUC on Dec 2, 2008 10:46 AM EST reply actions 0 recs