Bucs keeping Kiffin

Coordinator behind the league's No. 1 defense gets a substantial raise to stay with Tampa Bay.

By RICK STROUD, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published January 31, 2003

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HONOLULU -- The first attempt to break up the Bucs was unsuccessful.

Defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin signed a three-year contract Thursday worth about $5-million, turning down a chance to become coach of the San Francisco 49ers.

Kiffin was the leading candidate for that job and likely would have been offered substantially more money. He was scheduled to fly to San Francisco today and was expected to be introduced as 49ers coach this weekend.

But the 62-year-old Kiffin bypassed his dream of becoming an NFL head coach for a chance to remain in Tampa Bay as the league's highest-paid assistant. He will earn more than several head coaches.

[AP photo] Monte Kiffin's defense was No. 1 in the NFL and shut down the Raiders.

"I really believe so much in Jon Gruden and the situation he has created for me as defensive coordinator," Kiffin said. "Tampa is a great city, and the fans have a great passion for the Buccaneers, and that is very important to me. I would like to thank the 49ers for their interest. They've always been a first-class organization."

Kiffin will earn slightly less than $1.7-million per season. In contrast, Philadelphia defensive coordinator Jim Johnson just signed a deal that averages $900,000. Kiffin had two years left on a contract that paid him about $850,000 per season, meaning the Bucs doubled his salary.

The 49ers' interest in making Kiffin their coach is the first of what likely will be many attempts to lure talent from the Super Bowl XXXVII champions.

Under Kiffin, the Bucs had the league's top-ranked defense (252.8 yards per game) and were one of only four teams to rank in the top 10 in all three defensive categories.

Tampa Bay also became the first team since the 1985 Chicago Bears to lead the league in total defense, fewest points allowed and interceptions. The Bucs allowed 196 points in 2002, the fifth-fewest in a single season in NFL history during a 16-game schedule.

Under Kiffin, the defense has ranked in the top 10 for six consecutive years (1997-2002), surrendering 1,538 points during that span, the fewest in the league.

On Sunday, the defense led a 48-21 dismantling of the Raiders' No. 1 offense and league MVP Rich Gannon, intercepting five passes and returning three for touchdowns.

"I'm thrilled," safety John Lynch said. "He's the number one coordinator in the league and has proven it. Players continue to get better playing under him. I'm excited that he's staying in Tampa."

On Tuesday, San Francisco received permission to interview Kiffin, and he told general manager Terry Donahue he would meet with them today and Saturday.

But the Bucs spent the past two days negotiating with his agent, Jimmy Sexton, to increase Kiffin's salary and remove any financial incentive for him to leave.

While Kiffin has always expressed interest in becoming a head coach, the 49ers position may not have been attractive to him. Coach Steve Mariucci was fired on Jan. 15 after the Bucs beat San Francisco 31-6 in an NFC divisional playoff game. Former coach Bill Walsh, now a consultant with the team, has interfered with coaches in the past and addressed the team four times last season. Kiffin may not have been comfortable with that arrangement.

Kiffin said his working relationship with Gruden and the defensive staff, as well as his affection for the Tampa Bay area, persuaded him to remain with the Bucs.

[Times photo: Jim Damaske] Monte Kiffin said he wouldn't be where he is without defensive players like Warren Sapp (99) and "the best staff in the league."

"The reason I had an opportunity to even be considered for a head-coaching position is because of Jon Gruden and the four defensive assistants, along with the 25 defensive players that are totally committed to being the best," Kiffin said. "The reason I had this opportunity is because of our defensive staff. It is the best staff in the league."

Keeping that staff together may be a challenge. Defensive line coach Rod Marinelli has been offered a position as defensive coordinator the past two offseasons, and linebackers coach Joe Barry and defensive backs coach Mike Tomlin are considered rising stars.

"I'm really happy here with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers," Kiffin said. "The Glazer family has always been very respectful of me.

"Defensively, this was our best year and we capped it off with our success against the Raiders in the Super Bowl. We feel like we can continue to get better next year and hopefully bring another championship back to the city of Tampa."

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