Monte Kiffin passed away at the age of 84 on Thursday.
Longtime college football and NFL coach Monte Kiffin passed away on Thursday at the age of 84.
In 2009, Kiffin served as Tennessee’s defensive coordinator while his son, Lane, was the head coach of the Volunteers. Renowned Tennessee defensive back Eric Berry once referred to Kiffin as the “Google of defense,” highlighting his innovative approach to the game.
Often referred to as the Father of the Tampa 2 defense, Kiffin started his coaching career at Nebraska in 1966 as a graduate coach. He later coached at Nebraska, Arkansas, and North Carolina State before transitioning to the NFL as the Green Bay Packers’ linebackers coach in 1983. Kiffin then had stints with Buffalo, Minnesota, the New York Jets, and New Orleans before establishing a long-term role with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 1996-2008.
Kiffin returned to college football with Tennessee in 2009, followed his son Lane to Southern California from 2010-2012, and then went back to the NFL with the Cowboys and Jaguars. He later reunited with his son at FAU and finished his career as a player personnel analyst for Ole Miss from 2020-2023.
During his year at Tennessee, Kiffin’s standout defensive player was the dynamic Eric Berry. When Berry was considering entering the NFL Draft early in 2010, Kiffin advised him that staying in school would be unwise and that he should pursue his NFL ambitions. Motivated by the desire to help his father retire from working two jobs, Berry took Kiffin’s advice and entered the 2010 NFL Draft, becoming one of Tennessee’s highest-drafted players since Peyton Manning was selected first overall in 1998.
During Eric Berry’s sophomore season at Tennessee in 2008, Kiffin remembered hearing discussions within the Tampa Bay Buccaneers organization about an emerging talent in Tennessee’s secondary. The coaches were talking about Berry, who would soon become part of the Kiffin coaching legacy.
Bruce Feldman recounted the interaction in the September 21, 2009 edition of ESPN The Magazine:
“Kiffin had no prior scouting report on Berry before moving from Tampa. He doesn’t recall Bucs scouts even mentioning Berry’s name. He vaguely remembers someone saying, ‘Tennessee has this young safety who will be outstanding and –‘ Nine months later, Kiffin knew exactly who Berry was. At 69, Kiffin isn’t one to exaggerate or get swept up in a player’s reputation, but he confidently stated: ‘If I had the first pick in next year’s draft, I’d pick Eric.’”
Feldman also noted that Tennessee had been running a version of the Tampa 2 before Kiffin’s arrival, which helped smooth the transition. The main challenge initially was communication and terminology. However, Kiffin and Berry developed such a strong rapport that a simple head nod between the field and sideline could convey an entire conversation. Feldman credited the football lineage in both families for elevating their connection.
Berry occasionally outsmarted Kiffin, such as when he attempted to switch out of a blitz Kiffin insisted on, leading to a big offensive play during practice.
Monte Kiffin’s time in Knoxville may have just lasted for one season, but his impact on Tennessee icon Eric Berry is clearly documented and impactful.
Monte Kiffin was married to Robin Kiffin and had two sons, Chris and Lane Kiffin, with three grandchildren – Landry, Pressley, and Knox.
