Lane Kiffin Has 3-Word Reaction to Late Father’s Football Legacy & an Ultimate Sacrifice That Shaped His Career

Like father, like son. As cliché as it sounds, it’s turned into a real thing for the Kiffin clan. Lane Kiffin, for all his eccentricity and antics, is a great coach. His success and prowess are no fluke if you know his lineage. Lane’s dad, the late Monte Kiffin, was a coaching powerhouse in his own right. It seemed like football acumen just osmosed from Monte to Lane. But there is one divergence in the Kiffin coaching tree, though.

While Lane is an offensive wizard, Monte Kiffin plied his craft on the other side. Monte is unequivocally one of the greatest defensive minds in the sport’s modern history. His storied career spanning 7 decades is best remembered for his time down in Tampa. Monte was the Buccaneers’ defensive coordinator for 12 years. He was a vital cog in bringing the franchise its first-ever championship. Naturally, there were opportunities to become HC elsewhere. However, Coach Monte never jumped ship. Something Lane Kiffin is, maybe a little ironically, in awe of.

Lane Kiffin took to X, and guess what? It wasn’t a jibe at an adversary or the CFP committee. It was to relay a newspaper column from back in ‘03. Right after the Bucs’ Super Bowl triumph. The article, titled “Background Material,” spoke glowingly about DC Monte Kiffin and his escapades in Florida. Unlike their 2nd Super Bowl with Tom Brady at the head of the proverbial snake, this one was shouldered by an astute defense. Apart from the plaudits, the article pointed at Monte being averse to making what would be perceived as a step up during his career.   

The San Francisco 49ers wanted to appoint Monte Kiffin as head coach. Despite this, he remained in his DC capacity with the Bucs. Why did he not want to move up the hierarchy elsewhere? He was happy doing what he was doing, or so the article suggests. Monte Kiffin was inhabiting an environment he was revered in. Embodying a culture he helped cultivate. After thinking long and hard, the decision was easy. Owing to this, Lane Kiffin said, “Wow!! So Humble”. As aforementioned, this comes across as a little bit ironic because of what ensued 5 years later.

Monte did assist Lane at particular junctures of his own traversal as a coach. Right until his passing, when Lane was in his current capacity with Ole Miss. In fact, Monte passed away in Oxford, Mississippi. Lane’s first foray as head coach with the Oakland Raiders was a disaster. So when he became coach of the Tennessee Vols next, he wanted his old man by his side.

Well, Monte was still in his happy place, or so to speak, with Tampa. This created a conundrum for Monte, and what transpired was a sad blemish during his time in West Florida.

Lane Kiffin did what the 49ers couldn’t, and it didn’t go down too well

Monte Kiffin did indeed leave Tampa Bay for Rocky Top. However, it wasn’t the goodbye he’d have wished for after such a successful stint. The decision to depart was made in the midst of the NFL season but was not announced to the public. Unfortunately, those in the organization knew, and it had an ugly result.

Kiffin supposedly didn’t even partake in team meetings after his decision was finalized. The impending exit seeped into performances. The Bucs’ defense took a huge downturn. The Bucs were 9-3 and cruising at one stage. Coinciding with the revelation around Kiffin, they lost 4 on the spin down the stretch and missed the playoffs. Some bridges were definitely burned during that era of Lane Kiffin’s career.

While Lane Kiffin is applauding his father’s loyalty and groundedness on one hand, it’s rather funny he was the one who uprooted him. Alas, the decision did eventually work out. Monte Kiffin’s legacy is still going strong, and his son, Lane, is keeping it intact with his own innovative twists. Well, a few father-son duos have had a similar impact on the sport.

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