The impressions are endless. Across the league, there are dozens of players and coaches who mimic Monte.
They start with stiff hips and slouched shoulders, and the voice begins as a low mumble. Then they shuffle about, laying it on thick, and the voice quickens and rises into a shrill, piercing sound. The hair wisps skyward, and the energy runs away. By now, Monte Kiffin has been impersonated as much as George W. Bush.
When you think about it, isn't that fame?
The influence is endless. Kiffin's fingerprints are all over the defenses of the NFL.
Everyone knows the Tampa 2. No, it was not Kiffin's brainchild, but over the years, he has done a pretty good job of nurturing it. Hey, Johnny Appleseed didn't invent the apple, either.
Across the league, defensive coordinators are trying desperately to echo the way Warren Sapp used to play defensive tackle in the Tampa 2, or the way John Lynch used to play safety, or the way Derrick Brooks still plays linebacker or Ronde Barber still plays corner.
And really, isn't that fame, too?
The accomplishments are staggering. Of all the great defenses this league has seen, few have had the lasting power of his.
Before Kiffin arrived 13 seasons ago, the Bucs defense had ranked 21st or worst in yardage five out of six seasons, and it had given up 300 points or more 14 years in a row. By comparison, this is almost assured to be Kiffin's 11th season in the top 10, and if the Raiders score seven points or fewer, it would be the 10th time his defense has given up fewer than 300 points.
Once more, it bears asking: Isn't that fame?
If you are thinking of Kiffin and the NFL Hall of Fame, the answer is "probably not."
In the NFL, it is all about the head coach. The very best ones get streets named after them, or statues built or busts carved. All the victories are credited to the head coaches. All the titles, too.
The assistant coaches? The guys who do the dirty work? Not so much.
To the Hall of Fame voters, an assistant coach seems to be merely a coach who didn't succeed enough to get his own team, or if he did, wasn't good enough to mold it into greatness. In the NFL, no one gets an Oscar for being a supporting actor.
Yes, it's a shallow approach, and it has left a lot of great assistants — Bud Carson, Ernie Zampese, Bill Arnsparger, Dick LeBeau and Bobb McKittrick among them — short of recognition. It's like being a backup singer. Assistant coaches don't make the Hall; they make the men who make the Hall.
Perhaps Kiffin will be different. Perhaps his resume will finally convince the voters that excellence can be found at the right hand of a head coach, too. Perhaps the voters will finally recognize that a coordinator is as important as, say, a guard or a safety or, heaven forbid, an owner. (Honestly, can we get a recount on Charley Bidwill?)
Oh, head coaches know. There was a time when Don Shula was a secondary coach for the Browns. There was a time when Bill Walsh was an offensive coordinator and when Bill Belichick was a defensive coordinator. There was a time the Giants had Vince Lombardi as an offensive assistant and Tom Landry as a defensive assistant. Yeah, those guys did some pretty good work in those days, too.
And, really, isn't that what the Hall of Fame is supposed to recognize? Oh, you can throw the word "fame" around all you want. But Terrell Owens and Chad Johnson have fame. Britney Spears and Lindsay Lohan have fame. Tom Cruise and Amy Winehouse have fame though, thankfully, not together.
Put it this way: If the Hall of Fame was really there to celebrate the famous, why is Shorty Ray there? Why is Red Badgro? Why is Link Lyman or Jimmy Conzelman or Wayne Millner? Nothing against any of those guys, but they don't exactly teach their names in schools.
No, the Hall of Fame is supposed to be about achievement, about impact and durability, about success and strategy.
All of which brings us back to Kiffin, who will walk onto the field today as the Bucs defensive coordinator for the final time. If he had not already been replaced, you might suggest he is irreplaceable.
Around here, Kiffin has become an icon, an impact performer of uncommon consistency. Counting playoffs, the Bucs have won 216 games in their history; Kiffin has been the defensive coordinator for 116 of them. There have been 46 Pro Bowl slots for defensive players; Kiffin has coached 36 of them. For years now, Kiffin's defense has propped up the offense.
Now, he is leaving.
You can only imagine how strange today must feel for Kiffin. After all this time, he is finally leaving home. His defense is in a three-week swoon, and the playoffs are on the line, and the opponent is the team that fired his kid. All around him, the eyes that have trusted him will be looking to him once again for answers.
Once more, Kiffin will walk onto the field today. Perhaps the Hall of Fame voters will not notice, but those who appreciate achievement will. One more time, they will call his name. One more time, they will cheer his work.
If that isn't fame, it sounds close enough.
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Comments » 56
allvolinatlanta writes:
I for one am looking forward to what Monte can do with Tennessee's defense. No offense to Chief and what he accomplished. But, this guy brings a whole new dimension.
ArealVolFan writes:
I wonder how long it will be before guys like AreyouKiffinme and ButchisBack see this article and start bashing on Kiffin, saying how he is such a poor coordinator. Its sad really how there are some fans that just refuse to get excited for this. Him coming doesn't equal instant domination of the SEC but it should give us all a very bright future to look to.
tnbigg writes:
Agree 100%...good post...
tnbigg writes:
Also...great column...very well written and informative...Monte Kiffin is as good as it gets...
bosscat writes:
This article needs to be reprinted and sent to all of our defensive, no, all of our recruits.
smokyredbone writes:
Can't wait to see him workin with Vols!!!!! Welcome yoda,go get us a couple 5* players that fit your scheme!!!!
wesw33z#667083 writes:
i dont think either of those guys are ut fans.
VolinCalif writes:
There can only be one first prize on Lanes staff, and I thing Dad gets it. But,and maybe I am wrong, I think Lane is putting tgethe one of the greatest staff in college history. Will it be a great winner? I remember the Lakers a few years ago, may never see another team with that much talent. But there was just too much ego or something. Who knows. It didn't work. But the Vols will be better, right out the gate than they have been in the last few years.
smokyredbone writes:
OF COURSE THEY ARE NOT!! BAMMERS I SUSPECT! Gator BOY'S ARE TOO STUPID TO DISGUISE,EVEN AS 3RD GRADE OBVIOUS AS THOSE IDIOTS ARE!!!! GO VOLS AND CLK!!!!
tums writes:
I hope Monte remembers that you have to develop and coach players in college a lot more than the pros. I hope he comes in here and does really well, especially figuring out how to stop Florida. Auburn knows how, just watch them.
bigrob writes:
I respect the job that chavis has done here and what he has given to this university, but it will be nice having a guy that can make in game adjusments... see the second half of the ucla game... and he should do unbelievable wonders for our recruiting. especially top notch defensive players
VolinCalif writes:
Did you watch the Vols 1st play of the 1st half?????
bigrob writes:
to be honest when i remember that game i can't get passed the visions of that extremly soft zone getting picked apart by there 3rd string qb. it was like a nightmare!
newtonrail writes:
I don't read every post on here to know what the two guys agenda's are, if they have one. I for one have been outspoken about the hire of Killer Kiffin instead of Brian Kelley. That's done so we move on. Monte Kiffin has been a great NFL coach. I'm concerned how he can coach 18-22 year old kids. Not just next year, but as long as he stays around. I would have had a lot more respect for Monte, Lane, and Hamilton, if Monte had come here for $400-500K. We are basically going to match his NFL salary, if recent articles are true about him wanting it bumped to $1.5 Million after agreeing to come. That's what he was making, not the $2.1Million some outlets first published. In this kind of economy, we(Hamilton) had no business agreeing to this kind of salary structure. Kiffin Lite bringing in Dad was one thing. The only thing I believe he brings over Chavis is some recruits will be awed by his NFL ties, at least for awhile. Before this thing is over, we know there will be at least 4 in-laws here. And the work-a-around for the Nepotism policy? Report to Director of Football Operations that Kiffin Lite appoints. I think our current discipline of football team is deplorable, and I hope the Kiffins and Reaves can straighten it out. I'll be there in Section Q rooting them on,if the good Lord allows me to remain here. I've seen us in the pits in late 50's and early 60's, and 70's; and our talent is not that low now. I will still have the concerns I've expressed, and I hope time proves me wrong.
VolinCalif writes:
Yes. I was in the stands at that game. I've watched it wo times on tape but being there was the worse I've ever seen. The only thing that could have helped UT would have been to bring in the third string. Maybe I was just too high after the spring reviews, but I was looking forward to some new OFF. Not the one I was seeing on the field. But to be truthful after that game nothing , I mean nothing that happened the rest of the season supprised me. Well maybe a couple of things , our wins over Ky and Vandy. I did Post Grad work at UCLA and follow them in sports. I was aware they were going to be a bad team. I just couldn't believe I was watching the bottom of College football playing each other. I distroyed the disk of the game my brother sent to me. I can't stand seeing it again.
asleep#212036 writes:
I guess the issue for me is not how he can improve the defense but that I'm certain he can at least maintain it. Sure, we hope Lane and company can fix the offense but it will take time. If our defense begins declining while they are still trying to bring the offense up to snuff, we could still be in for some rough times. Bringing Monte in means that although Chief will be missed, the D is going to remain plenty strong enough in the near term to allow the O to catch up in the long term - without Lane losing his job in the middle of the process and having to start over. Go Vols!!!
VolinCalif writes:
I agree, you've hit the nail on the head. But I believe the players UT has are more suited for Lanes Pro style Off than they were for last years style. The OL was a major surpise, just no way those guys fell to that level in 7 mo's. So I think Lane has enough to work with for a 1st year coach. We'll be in the hunt come Nov.
orangevolz writes:
I mostly lurk on here, but from what I have seen, I suspect "areyoufiffinme" is not a Vol fan, because he goes out of his way to make UT fans angry. A UT fan would simply not do that. There is a way to express disagreement, without being 100% negative on every single post. I actually feel sorry for him, because he is probably a very lonely person without any friends, and this board provides him with the attention he so desperatly needs.
JohnnyVol writes:
I played football for a lot of years, and understand offensive and defensive schemes. And, as Solomon said, there is nothing new under the sun. The same really holds true for football.
If I have heard correctly, Chief's Mustang defense and Kiffin's Tampa 2 are basically the same with some wrinkles. If that is the case, then it may be a real positive that our defensive players will not need to see a lot of new schemes or sets. Can someone, with more defensive detail knowledge than me, confirm or dispute this comparison of the Mustang and Tampa 2 defense?
asleep#212036 writes:
No doubt our current players, which Cutcliffe recruited, are much more suited to play in a pro-style offense. However, we still don't have the [expereinced] playmakers on offense that Florida, Alabama, and Georgia have, especially at receiver, and that is a bit of a problem. Switching back to a pro-style O should fix some of the O-line issues so we should run better and protect better. That, in turn, may allow our QB's more time to read the D and make better throws. That should get the offense out of the "116th in the country" range and get us to 8 or 9 wins next year if the D stays strong. From there, the recruiting should pick up, the playmakers are interested again, and the sky's the limit, at least every few years or so. Go Vols!!!
gohawks1 writes:
"...ranked 21st or worst..."?
Better work on that one, Mr. Shelton.
asleep#212036 writes:
The major difference is that the Tampa 2 uses linebackers in drop-zone coverage a lot more than Chavis' Mustang. The problem is that you need faster linebackers than we currently have to make it work (Florida has that talent but doesn't run that scheme). You also need huge DT's to plug the middle (we need some) and he generally converts his bigger linebackers to DE's to create the pass rush (do we have any of those?) The corners also play a lot more press coverage, at least in the first few yards, then often drop into zone. It is a multi-set adjustable defense that can be very difficult to decipher, like Saban's defense at Alabama. We already run a similar scheme but Monte will have to adjust to the tendencies of college teams, especially SEC teams, to run first to set up the throw, which is the opposite of what most NFL teams do. We'll see but I am totally optimistic that Monte can and will adjust (even at halftime if needed-lol) and the D will be strong yet again. Go Vols!!!
Orange66 writes:
See the attached article about the Tampa 2, which includes diagrams. It might help.
http://www.footballtimes.org/Article....
Vol_in_Mich writes:
No matter what the thread is about on here, sooner or later someone always has to question how much UT is paying an assistant coach. I doubt if any know exactly how much any of them will make. One thing for sure, if you want the best, you have to pay for it. I for one want the best so we can be on top again.
I would like for one of these financial experts to find out the total UT pays its head & assistant football coaches compared to Fla, Bamma or LSU. I doubt if we have the highest paid staff in the SEC much less the nation.
I am very excited about the direction of our program & have a hard time understanding all the negative comments from so called Vol fans on here.
I have been a Vol fan since Johnny Majors played tailback so I've seen bad times & good times. I'm ready for the good times again. Support your team.
Go VOLS!!!
gwbask writes:
VolinCalif, when did you do your post grad work at UCLA?
JohnnyVol writes:
Thanks a lot.
I wonder...where the linebackers are concerned, Rico McCoy is pretty quick. The others I am not so sure about.
We have very strong defensive backs to make this happen.
Finally, it seems that the one place to be weak for the scheme you just described would be our defensive lineman. So...it is interesting that we have received some unexpected DL commits lately.
Hmmm...
Should be interesting. And,asleep, I would agree that Monte Kiffin is a fantastic coach, not because of the Tampa 2 scheme, but because he is simply a great coach.
Thanks for your help. What is your football background? Are you a former player, coach, or just a student/fan? Good analysis. Thanks.
VolPatrick writes:
I am very, very intrigued by the thought of Coach M. Kiffin wrestling with spread/option/veer offenses used in the college ranks. There can be little doubt about his abilities-his results speak for themselves. However, I am really interested to see if there will be a major increase in the quality of defense at UT, mainly because I'm just not convinced things can really get much better. The defenses have been pretty good over the last few years.
Oh, and Tampa just lost so I guess we're gonna get our new D. Coordinator sooner rather than later. Let the dynasty begin!
gwbask writes:
Monte can start working for the Vols next week. Tampa just got knocked out of the playoffs by Oakland
TwigInOrange writes:
Hold up! Do you believe that a good coaching staff doesn't deserve the money. You pay for what you get!!! Do you realize that money generated from the athletic program (mainly football) also helps pay for academics, not the other way around. Do you realize that Bob Stoops at Oklahoma made 6.1 million this year alone, not including any of his staff. We wouldn't be paying that much out to our entire staff. Yet, we want the same results. The money made off of a smaller bowl game is atleast 15 million. That pays for the staffs salaries for 3 yeears. You have no clue what your talking about. To get a defensive coordinator like Monte Kiffin, your going to spend the money. And why not, because the staff that is being hired will earn every bit of it back. Wake up.
Nepotism, why do you care? I mean seriously. Seems to me that you may work for the University. In that case, if a result of you being hired brings in a 100 million dollars in revenue, then we will give you a pay raise.
bigrob writes:
And the saints lost also. Maybe we will hear about ogeron soon, all though i'm not getting my hopes up. From what i've heard he may be a long shot
T_VOLZ writes:
So i guess we start hearing how monte sucks cause he lost to the raiders?
AllVol2008#1353998 writes:
I'll second that motion: Let the Dynasty Begin . . . .
yeavols#228407 writes:
Close! We'll start hearing how Lane Kiffin caused all this trouble by hiring his father away from Tampa which in turn caused them to lose to Oakland.
shopsports#273141 writes:
See ya in Knoxville, Tuesday of this week Coach....Happy Big Orange New Year. We will be happy to have you.
VolinCalif writes:
Not all at one time and never completed the MS. But it was off and on from 1967 thru 1975. By that time I was a mgr of an Eng group and didn't really have time anymore. My olderest daugher Completed her Bs at UCLA in 1984. Her Husban the same year. Great school and yes I don't like USC. they're like Bama. But lots of sun each year. My boother in law got his MS and Phd at So Calif. made for lots of fun. But he was also a UT grad.
tnbigg writes:
Take your guardian angel and go back to Bammy fruitcake...
http://www.jaunted.com/files/7156/gay...
T_VOLZ writes:
Yea your probably right
AllVol2008#1353998 writes:
I am not a great Orgeron fan one way or the other--couldn't even say I knew much about him at all, but I thought he was a virtual lock to come to UT.
tnbigg writes:
Take your flag too...hmmm...flag is so close to your nature...drop the "l" and there ya' are...
http://www.ukgaynews.org.uk/images/lo...
yeavols#228407 writes:
Tadaa...here comes Areyoukiffinme...just in time, too. I have a great idea..if no one replied to this dunderhead, as tempting as it is, he might just go away..Starting with me, I will no longer entertain his ignorant posts. Any takers?
AllVol2008#1353998 writes:
Uh, go to he--? Come back after we whip you crimson a-- next October, a--h-o-e.
AllVol2008#1353998 writes:
Sorry, YeaVols. Read your post too late. Good idea. It might work for welovetennesseevols as well.
T_VOLZ writes:
An absolute poser
yeavols#228407 writes:
Heck YA! I am with you on that one..I'll add one more to the list: Newtonrail
PaulTheVol writes:
The rip on SEC teams in general - especially from the PAC 10 and Big 12 - is that they run simple schemes but overwhelm you with great athletes and speed. Certainly Monte Kiffin can't run his entire Tampa defense due to practice time limitations, but he can bring more complex and disguised schemes to confuse QBs and other offensive players. This confusion should give us an edge.
As for the question of whether Kiffin can coach college guys - do your homework. Kiffin cocahed at Nebraska, Arkansas and was head coach at NC State prior to moving to the NFL, so he knows the college game.
Time will tell as to whether Land Kiffin was the correct hire. But he is our coach and I will support him and the Vols all I can.
HtownVol writes:
I just hope Monte is able to bring in a few big name recruits to help out. And we still need Marlon Brown!!!
yeavols#228407 writes:
Good post PaultheVol..just to add, what a great way for Monte Kiffin to enter the last phase of his career: To coach with his son and help propel Lane into his career. Monte Kiffin could probably care less how much money he will make which is probably not even an issue. He's already made his millions and stands to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. The last few years will hopefully be to rebuild a limping Tennessee team and spend time on the sidelines with his son. I believe he will do well with the defense.
TommyJack writes:
Entirely too logical for this board.
bigrob writes:
coaching news please!
JohnnyVol writes:
Well...I guess being ripped for overwhelming people with speed and great athletes is OK with me.
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