Legendary football coach Monte Kiffin dies at 84

There is very sad news out of Oxford on Thursday with the passing of longtime football coaching legend Monte Kiffin at the age of 84.

Monte Kiffin is of course the father of Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin. Ole Miss athletics posted the news earlier Thursday afternoon of the untimely passing of the NFL and college coaching stalwart.

It has been heartwarming since Lane Kiffin was hired in Oxford to see Monte incorporated into the current football program and part of the massive turnaround at Ole Miss. His appearances on the sideline, locker room and around the city were part of the family first vibe the Kiffins have brought to Ole Miss in the last few years.

Monte Kiffin’s unbelievable Tampa Bay defenses led the Buccaneers to a Super Bowl in 2002 and his two decades of impact in the NFL led to a Award of Excellence this past March for his contributions to the sport.

Lane Kiffin tweeted earlier Thursday honoring his dad with past photos from his time at NC State and the Minnesota Vikings calling him “his hero.”

From the staff of the Cup, we’re sending out our sincere thoughts and prayers to the Kiffin family during this sad time. Monte Kiffin had a long, successful life and got to see his son climb to the highest levels of coaching and no doubt left a legacy here on this earth.