Monte Kiffin

Monte George Kiffin (February 29, 1940 – July 11, 2024) was an American football coach. He is widely considered to have been one of the preeminent defensive coordinators in modern football, as well as one of the greatest defensive coordinators in NFL history. Father of the widely imitated "Tampa 2" defense, Kiffin's concepts are among the most influential in modern college and pro football. He spent nearly 30 years as an NFL assistant coach, including 13 years as defensive coordinator for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, with whom he won Super Bowl XXXVII. His defensive units finished ranked in the top 10 in points allowed and yards allowed 10 times during that period, an NFL record. Later in his career, he worked with his son Lane, who has served as the head coach of several major college programs. Kiffin earned a reported $2 million annual salary during his time with Buccaneers and turned down several NFL head coaching jobs during his career. His only head coaching job was with the NC State Wolfpack from 1980 to 1982.