Rams courting Kiffin

Bucs defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin said he has not decided yet whether he will pursue the head coaching vacancy.

By STEPHEN F. HOLDER
Published January 12, 2006

TAMPA - Yet another Bucs assistant is contemplating a move, and it would be a big one.

Defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin said he spoke at length this week with Rams president John Shaw and is considering whether to accept the team's offer to interview for the head coaching position.

The Rams have already asked for and received permission to speak with Kiffin, according to Bucs general manager Bruce Allen.

Kiffin's next step is to decide how serious he is about moving on, because "Once you go to the interview, that means you've (decided you are) going to leave. But I don't want to waste their time. It's not fair to them."

Kiffin has been a candidate for head-coaching jobs in the past, the latest being the 49ers' post. San Francisco courted him after the Bucs' Super Bowl victory in 2003. Since then, Kiffin has signed a contract extension that takes him through the 2007 season at approximately $1.7-million per season. That makes him one of the league's highest-paid assistant coaches.

Kiffin - who along with former head coach Tony Dungy helped install the famed "Tampa 2" defense - said he did not have a timetable for deciding his course of action. But it is expected he will notify the Rams of a decision soon as the team is considering other candidates for the position.

But he gave no hint at what he will do.

"I have to make some decisions," he said. "I have a great relationship with Jon (Gruden) and Bruce and I love the community. Right now I'll just leave it at that for now."

[Last modified January 12, 2006, 16:52:44]