peepinmofo Posted December 16, 2008 Share Posted December 16, 2008 http://www.tampabay.com/sports/football/bu...ticle938082.ece ATLANTA — First and foremost, Monte Kiffin wants to make it known that he loves everything associated with the Bucs. "You're talking about great fans," the team's defensive coordinator said after Sunday's loss. "I mean, this is like my alma mater." Still, the draw of coaching with his son at the University of Tennessee proved irresistible. Kiffin, 68, confirmed Sunday what had been speculated for weeks: He will join son Lane at the school after the season. He said he came to a final decision a week ago and told coaches and players Wednesday. "I went back and forth," Kiffin said. "It was a very, very hard decision because of players, our fans. When you've been in a place since 1996, you don't just jump ship. I've had other opportunities. … But I stayed here, decided to sign back up for two years. But the club was very good about giving me the option to go with my son. "It boiled down to one thing: It was your son, and that's what it is. I love these players. … I told them kind of what I'm telling you. I said, 'Guys, this was a tough decision. I went back and forth.' I didn't think it was right to keep carrying it out." Though the move had been expected, Kiffin emphasized that he had not made a final decision until just before the Bucs took on Carolina last week. So as not to be a distraction before the game, he withheld the news until the team returned to Tampa, he said. But even after he waited for two days, it was difficult to break the news to the many familiar faces in the team meeting room. "I looked around that room and there's a lot of really good fathers in that room," he said. "I'm so proud of those guys." As for the rest of the season, it remains to be seen whether there is any impact as a result of Kiffin's decision. Linebacker Derrick Brooks, the only player who has been in Tampa Bay for Kiffin's entire tenure, said he'll withhold his feelings until the appropriate time. "He's still here," Brooks said of Kiffin. "Until our season is over, those emotions probably won't come into effect." Said Kiffin: "My focus (on Sunday) was the Atlanta Falcons. My focus next week will be on the Chargers and then the Raiders the week after that. It's just the way I am. I owe it to these players." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rajncajn Posted December 16, 2008 Share Posted December 16, 2008 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ziachild007 Posted December 16, 2008 Share Posted December 16, 2008 He has been extremely loyal to the Bucs over the years he has been there. But at his age you can't blame the guy for wanting to coach with his son. on a fine coaching career Monte. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loyalboyd Posted December 16, 2008 Share Posted December 16, 2008 He has been extremely loyal to the Bucs over the years he has been there. But at his age you can't blame the guy for wanting to coach with his son. on a fine coaching career Monte. If any Def Coordinator can makes it to the HOF it should be him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scooby Posted December 16, 2008 Share Posted December 16, 2008 good, now they can take our DC, wait is that Stewart or Chubby Phillips?; whatever, they can have them both Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kpholmes Posted December 16, 2008 Share Posted December 16, 2008 He has been extremely loyal to the Bucs over the years he has been there. But at his age you can't blame the guy for wanting to coach with his son. on a fine coaching career Monte. Agreed. I think at his age and after the great sucess he's had, any father would jump at the chance to finish their career out with their son. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rajncajn Posted December 16, 2008 Share Posted December 16, 2008 Now we just need to convince them that Gary Gibbs is the guy they want. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MonkeyOne Posted December 17, 2008 Share Posted December 17, 2008 I can't argue with his decision, the Bucs have had many years of dedicated (and excellent) work from him which I hope they find a good way to mark, but it still makes me to hear it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whomper Posted December 17, 2008 Share Posted December 17, 2008 Awesome DC. Neck and Neck with Johnson from Philly. IMO. on a great career Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goopster24 Posted December 17, 2008 Share Posted December 17, 2008 I wonder how he will do with the college kids in general. Always had mad respect for this guy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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