By PFW staff
Jan. 14, 2008

Just a few months ago, the Kiffin family was NFL royalty. Monte, the Bucs’ defensive coordinator, was leading an almost completely different set of defenders than the unit with which Tampa Bay won the Super Bowl in 2002, toward the top of the league. His son, Lane, had become the youngest head coach in NFL history after taking over in Oakland. Now, PFW has learned that Lane could soon be out of a job, and Monte is without a contract for next season, although Bucs GM Bruce Allen said an offer was made to the 11-year Tampa coach.

In the eight days since the Bucs' wild-card loss to the Giants, Monte Kiffin has been linked to multiple jobs outside of Tampa.

It was widely reported that Raiders defensive coordinator Rob Ryan would be fired, which led to speculation that Monte would join Lane’s staff and replace Ryan. However, those whispers were put to rest when Raiders owner Al Davis apparently stepped in and told Lane that Ryan would be retained.

Other rumors had Monte teaming up with Pete Carroll, if the USC coach left to accept the head-coaching job with the Falcons. Lane assisted Carroll at USC before taking the post with the Raiders.

The PFW spin

All of the offseason gossip and Monte Kiffin’s silence could just be a case of a smart contract negotiation by Kiffin’s agent, Jimmy Sexton. If it appears the elder Kiffin is being highly sought after by other clubs, the price of a new contract shoots up.

Or, there could be something deeper and darker at play.

The St. Petersburg Times reported Jan. 13 that several assistants to Bucs head coach Jon Gruden have grown tired of their boss due to the fact that he runs the team like a tyrant, tuning out any advice they offer.

Assistant head coach-RB coach Art Valero departed Tampa last week to join the Rams’ staff and went public with his frustration concerning Gruden’s style of management. The Times story suggested that Bucs players play for position coaches, rather than their head coach.

Perhaps Kiffin, as he contemplates signing what could be his last professional contract, has grown tired of dealing with Gruden after a six-year partnership. It would be a devastating blow to the Buccaneers if they lose a mastermind of the cover-2 defense, just as the young players they spent so much time developing begin hitting their stride.

Allen would be smart to raise the offer to Kiffin at this point, before someone else beats him to it. He knows what he’s getting with Kiffin — experience, intelligence, and hard work — which should be worth every penny.