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NFL and college football legend Monte Kiffin dead at 84: Ole Miss pays tribute to father of head coach Lane
Longtime NFL and college football defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin has died at the age of 84, according to a statement shared by Ole Miss on social media.
Kiffin, the father of current Rebels head coach, Lane, was surrounded by both family and friends at the time of his passing on Thursday, the school said.
'As his grandson Knox said, he's free of pain and smiling down on us from above. Please keep the Kiffin family in your thoughts and prayers during this time,' read the viral post on X.
Kiffin, who had been working on his son's coaching staff as a defensive analyst since 2020, was one of the architects behind the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' mean defense that won the 2002 Super Bowl. Along with Tony Dungy, he built the high effective 'Tampa 2' scheme that led the Bucs to great success and influenced other teams' defenses.
Kiffin spent 13 of his 16 NFL seasons as the Bucs' defensive coordinator, but also held the same job on the Minnesota Vikings, New Orleans Saints and Dallas Cowboys for one year only each time.
Monte Kiffin, known for his impact on the Buccaneers, died surrounded by family and friends
Kiffin's son Lane is the head football coach at Ole Miss. The duo worked together since 2020
Earlier on Thursday, Lane shared two throwback snaps of himself as a child and with his father on X, captioning his post: 'My hero.'
Kiffin's other son, Chris, is a defensive line coach on Lane's Ole Miss football staff.
In March, Kiffin was one of 15 honorees by the Pro Football Hall of Fame through its Awards for Excellence Program.
'Monte Kiffin was a beloved and iconic member of the Buccaneers family,' and our entire organization mourns his loss today. As a coach, Monte was a true innovator who got the best out of his players and helped create one of the signature defenses of the early 2000's,' the Bucs shared in tribute to the Oxford, Mississippi native on X.
Kiffin led the Bucs' team to the 2002 Super Bowl with one of the meanest defenses in history
'...Off the field Monte was kind, genuine, gracious and always had a positive attitude. He was very special to the Buccaneers organization and our family.
'We send our heartfelt condolences to his wife, Robin, sons, Land Chris, daughter, Heidi, and the entire Kiffin family.'
NFL analyst on ESPN Robert Griffin III also honored Kiffin on social media by sharing a post on X in which he described the veteran football coach as one of the 'Greatest defensive minds we have ever had.'
The former Washington Commanders quarterback added: 'In my talks with Lane covering football, Monte's greatest title is his Hero.'