“That’s Still My Philosophy And It’s Never Going To Change”
July 14th, 2021
Former Bucs DC Monte Kiffin.
Former Bucs defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin may be 81, but the decades of being in the sun coaching football are showing.
Kiffin walks and stands hunched over as if he’s looking for a dropped set of keys.
Despite his years, thought, Kiffin still has the heart of a warrior.
Today at One Buc Palace, Kiffin and the Bucs held a press conference to announce the long-time and celebrated Bucs defensive coordinator, who molded and guided one of the greatest defenses in NFL history, will be inducted into the Buccaneers Ring of Honor this fall.
That game will be Sept. 19 when the Bucs host the Dixie Chicks.
Kiffin was fired up in giving his philosophy of winning with defense. He explained what he looked for in a defensive player was more heart and speed than talent. Loafing would not be tolerated. And guys on the defensive line better get after the quarterback and guys in the secondary better cover receivers or the bench will have visitors.
“It’s right here in the heart,” Kiffin said as he pointed to his chest. “Play hard and play fast! That ball is snapped — POOF! — you gotta go! You’ve got to pass rush. You’ve got to cover.
“Play hard, play fast!”
Then, Kiffin hollered how his style of defense will never grow out of style.
“If you can’t play together as a team, you don’t belong with this defense, OK?” Kiffin barked. “That’s just my philosophy and it’s still my philosophy” — Kiffin then slapped the podium hard — “it will never change.”
Nor should it.
Joe remembers reading Wade Phillips’ autobiography a few years ago, “Son of Bum,” and he basically wrote what Kiffin said — that it doesn’t take an All-Pro to give maximum effort. And effort and hustle lead to plays made and tackles.
It’s cool to know that two of the very best defensive coordinators in NFL history had the same fundamental attitude: Bust your tail and good things happen.
Salute Monte!
I think your dad has to give the halftime speeches from here on in @Lane_Kiffin pic.twitter.com/S0j88PnXW6
— Ben Murphy WTSP (@BenMurphyTV) July 14, 2021
July 14th, 2021 at 3:43 pm
I love Monte! He was so big to our organization. The one thing that’s really hard for me is how it ended. He quit on us and it’s hard to honor that. we were 9-3 and he took another job with his son, and that’s fine but he didn’t have to totaly quit on us. We drop the last 4 after that and to me that was the darkest part of our history. To lose the last 4 causes the firing of Gruden and the hiring of Rah, the we cut brooks, dunn,ike, kevin carter and other who never get to play again. Raymond James stadium becomes the den of depression, and we draft Josh to start the new era and its over a decade of darkness. #55 said in an interview, he tried to talk to Monte about the upcoming Chargers game and Monte wouldn’t open his door, he was recruiting for UT. Man, that started the dark age. Lot of bad happen as a result of that.
July 14th, 2021 at 3:57 pm
It’s good to see the Bucs honoring Kiffin before he passes away. With his fire and passion for the game that still could easily be another 20 years before that happens.
July 14th, 2021 at 4:04 pm
What a character!
July 14th, 2021 at 4:12 pm
Heads up Joe, that first sentence doesn’t make sense. Typo?
July 14th, 2021 at 4:20 pm
No typos. Seems quite clear. He may be 81 but has the fire of someone younger. 🤷♂️
July 14th, 2021 at 4:36 pm
I can’t blame Kiffin for leaving the Bucs. He probably was sick of not having an offense to compliment his defense, thus leading to 0 playoff wins after Gruden’s first year.
Even in 2008 when Kiffin quit, the Bucs defense still ranked #10 in points allowed.
In Gruden’s 7-year tenure in Tampa, he never had an offense that was ranked better than #18 in offensive points scored.
Kiffin’s defense? In those same 7 years, only once did our defense not crack the top ten in points allowed.
You can’t blame any of the Lost Decade on Kiffin. That is like blaming Tom Brady for the crappy 2020 Patriots.
July 14th, 2021 at 4:37 pm
Great guy but if you run the Tampa 2 today, your team will get smashed. Safeties can’t run down hill and cleanup anymore. Even Mr. Friendly Fire would get penalized heavily.
July 14th, 2021 at 4:45 pm
Monte most definitely deserves to be in the ring of honor. Congratulations coach
July 14th, 2021 at 4:48 pm
Run to the ball!
July 14th, 2021 at 4:49 pm
Awesome seriously brought tears to my eyes!! The OG mastermind bringing so many memories back. He is one inspiring Son of a gun! It doesn’t take talent to play hard!! It’s right here in your heart!!!
July 14th, 2021 at 5:59 pm
I thought the same thing BA. Joe’s editor would probably have suggested something like …. Kiffin is 81 and the decades of being in the sun…..
But Joe probably reminded his editor that it’s Joe’s website and he’ll type it any way he damn well pleases.
Those of us will with OCD just have to deal with it.
Salute Monte!
July 14th, 2021 at 6:55 pm
It’s great to see that he still has that fire and motivation. It’s too bad Tampa can’t find a spot for him and his knowledge. BA has Tom Moore, maybe Bowles can have Kiffin?!?! I know I know different defensive schemes and it probably wouldn’t work….. but like Joe said last year, pay a guy to review tap on upcoming teams and the Bucs D to help tighten up what they’re missing. It’s great to see that he’s coming home to the ring of honor!
July 14th, 2021 at 6:56 pm
Will over skill, just ask jet ski losing , the goat.
July 14th, 2021 at 9:04 pm
I’m sorry but Monte did NOT quit on us. He felt loyalty to his child! Who has asked him for help. He had already won a Superbowl his main allegiance was to Dungy not Chucky. Furthermore I remember he did NOT want to the info he was leaving leaked out. But once it did your team can go one or two ways. Ball the hell out and show the world how much he meant to that defense. Or just fall apart knowing the architect the mastermind behind the design is leaving. I wish it was the latter but it shattered this team when they found out C’mon they were 9 and 3 then the story broke Monte was leaving and they lost 4 games in a row and misses the playoffs . I can judge because I’m not a professional athlete but I think I would have ayes harder to send him off as a winner. Nope our players pouted cried and lost focus. Oh well it’s done and over with mow
July 14th, 2021 at 9:17 pm
The dude had a chance to coach side by side with his son. Can’t fault him for that. His defenses brought me great joy on many a game day. Love me some Kiffin! We need a Monte statue out front of Ray Jay.
July 14th, 2021 at 10:31 pm
I taught English for 13 years and Joe’s first sentence is without error.
July 15th, 2021 at 1:43 am
Wow.
Legend! (Chucky destroyed our team culture)
JPP was the greatest trade in Bucs history.
And Suh was the best defensive signing since Simeon Rice.
JPP and Suh next to each other is a dream!
Two Hall of Famers. Two Carribean Kings.
Suh is Jamaican and Cameroonian.
@tmaxicon was right all along.
GMC and “fun” philosophy destroyed our team.
Football is WAR. It’s not about having “fun.*
July 15th, 2021 at 7:49 am
Hard to give Monte so much credit when his defense was stacked with 3 Hall of Famers and 2 more worthy candidates. Especially anywhere else he coached post Bucs his defenses were just dreadful.
The scheme was not incredibly creative he was a good coach with excellent players. If he was as great as his players were this defense would have been more accomplished with post season wins.
July 15th, 2021 at 8:19 am
Chucky has to be the most over rated coach in the NFL. I hate saying that, as I so much appreciate him getting over the hump and winning the SB. But as the years go by, the truth becomes obvious. As BA4Pres said above, when he was the Bucs coach our offense ranked 18 (’02), 18 (’03), 23 (’04), 20 (’05), 31 (’06), 18 (’07), 19 (’08) in points scored – never one year did the Bucs rank in the in the top half of the NFL. So where does this offensive guru BS come from?
In Dungy’s last two year with the Bucs (lets remember there was little talent on the Bucs when he became coach), his offense was ranked better than Chucky’s ever was: #3 (’00). #15 (’01)
Chucky also is known as the QB guru; why? Rich Gannon maybe?
The Bucs D on the other hand was in the top 10 of the NFL for 6 out of Chucky’s 7 years here: 1 (’02), 4 (’03), 9 (’04), 8 (’05), 21 (’06), 3 (’07), 10 (’08)
All Bucs fans talk about in regard to the ’02 SB Champs is we had one of, if not the BEST D ever in the NFL. Monti more than deserves this tribute. Congrats to you Coach!
July 15th, 2021 at 8:42 am
Hey ba who is saying its his fault i dont see anyone saying shiz about it
July 15th, 2021 at 9:55 am
his d was really good when he had 5 of his starting 11 were HOF caliber
July 15th, 2021 at 10:23 am
Quitter Kiffin had all the coaching skills of Lovie Smith.
Just start 5 Hall of Famers and no matter how stupid you are, you come out smelling like a rose.
He accomplished absolutely nothing after he quit on a 9-3 Super Bowl bound team.
After throwing off the mantle of the “Den of Depression” the Glazers have installed the “Curse of Monte Kiffin.” Where future Buc teams will quit at the slightest hint of adversity.
July 15th, 2021 at 2:46 pm
@Bucobill The first post of the entire thread basically said that Monte’s quitting started the “dark age”