Monte Kiffin, legendary assistant who was New Orleans Saints defensive coordinator in 1995, has died

Monte Kiffin, a revered defensive coach in the NFL and college football who served as the defensive coordinator of the New Orleans Saints in1995, has died. He was 84. Ole Miss, where his son Lane is the head coach, announced the news with a post on social media

“Monte Kiffin, 84, peacefully passed away today in Oxford surrounded by family and friends. As his grandson Knox said, he’s free of pain and smiling down on us from above. Please keep the Kiffin family in your thoughts and prayers during this time.”

Kiffin was a defensive coordinator in the NFL for 16 years, 13 with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers where his Tampa-2 defensive system helped the Bucs win the Super Bowl in 2003 with a 48-21 victory over the Oakland Raiders. Kiffin is a member of the Bucs’ Ring of Honor.

Kiffin served as the defensive coordinator of the Minnesota Vikings in 1991 and with the Dallas Cowboys in 2013. Kiffin also was a longtime college assistant and head coach.

Kiffin worked under Coach Jim Mora with the Saints in 1995 as the team went 7-9.