By PFW staff
Jan. 18, 2008

Speculation over the future of Buccaneers defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin came to an end Friday when he signed a new contract to remain in Tampa. Details of the deal were not revealed.

There had been rumors that Kiffin might join his son, Lane, the head coach of the Raiders, as defensive coordinator there, but owner Al Davis’ insistence that the younger Kiffin retain defensive coordinator Rob Ryan scuttled any such plans.

There also had been talk that Kiffin could join Pete Carroll in Atlanta if the USC head coach were to accept the Falcons’ head-coaching job.

Earlier this month, the Buccaneers gave new contracts to two other key assistants, offensive coordinator/OL coach Bill Muir and special-teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia.

Kiffin is the longest-tenured defensive coordinator in the NFL, having served in that capacity for 12 years. His defenses have ranked in the top 10 in total defense 10 times. Last season the defense climbed to second in the league after finishing an uncharacteristically mediocre 17th in 2006.

Overall during his 12-year stint, Kiffin’s units rank as the stingiest in the NFL, in terms of yards or points allowed. They have given up 285.2 yards and 17.2 points per game during that 1996-2007 span.