72 year old Monty Kiffin takes over as Dallas DC

abyzmul · Jan 11, 2013

http://www.dallasnews.com/sports/da...grees-to-be-cowboys-defensive-coordinator.ece

The brief courtship of Monte Kiffin is over.

The 72-year-old Kiffin has agreed to become the Cowboys fourth defensive coordinator in four years. He replaces Rob Ryan, who was let go Tuesday evening.

Kiffin, the only candidate the Cowboys interviewed for the job, has spent the last four years at the college level, resigning as USC’s defensive coordinator at the end of the season. But he spent the previous 25 years as an NFL assistant and presided over a Tampa Bay defense during its run as one of the league’s best.

The Buccaneers ranked among the league’s top 10 in total defense in 11 of the 13 years Kiffin was the defensive coordinator. Tampa Bay also finished among the top 10 in fewest points allowed 10 times from 1996-2008.

Kiffin’s defense recorded a sack in 69 consecutive games and forced at least one turnover in 54 consecutive games during that stretch. The Bucs led the NFL in total defense, fewest points allowed and interceptions during the 2002 season, the first unit to accomplish that feat since the Chicago Bears 17 years earlier.

That season ended with a victory over Oakland in Super Bowl XXXVII.

The beauty of the Tampa 2 defense is its simplicity. It’s one that emphasizes fundamentals, an area owner Jerry Jones said the Cowboys must improve.

It’s also an attacking defense that stresses turnovers and requires speed at linebacker and defensive back. The 31 interceptions the Bucs came up with in ’02 season is nine more than the Cowboys have generated the past two seasons.

Hiring Kiffin would signal a shift to a 4-3 defense, a scheme the Cowboys last ran on a full-time basis in ’04. This would mesh with the statement Jason Garrett released Tuesday night after Ryan was released that said, “At this time, the decision has been made to move forward in a different direction philosophically on defense.’’

The philosophical shift from a 3-4 is more of a nip here and tuck there than a complete facelift.

The Cowboys ran out of 4-3 set anywhere from 15 to 18 percent of the time under Ryan this past season and are convinced the transition would not be punitive. The highest profile move would be made by Pro Bowl linebacker DeMarcus Ware, who would line up as a defensive end in this scheme.

The fate of the current defensive staff is in Kiffin’s hands. Defensive line coach Brian Baker, linebackers coach Matt Eberflus, secondary coach Jerome Henderson and assistants Leon Lett (defensive line) and Joe Baker (secondary) will all be required to interview before determining if they have a spot on the new staff.

Kiffin’s age _ he turns 73 next month _ will be a topic of discussion. But if he does return to the NFL, he won’t be the league’s oldest defensive coordinator. That distinction belongs to Pittsburgh’s Dick LeBeau, who is 75.
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Barcs · Jan 11, 2013

:lol: and Jerry Jones wonders why there's no stability on the team. He doesn't even give the guys a chance. 4 coordinators in 4 years is crazy.

CJLang · Jan 11, 2013

Barcs said: ↑

:lol: and Jerry Jones wonders why there's no stability on the team. He doesn't even give the guys a chance. 4 coordinators in 4 years is crazy.
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How do figure that. Ryan was there for the last two years.

odessa · Jan 11, 2013

Yup I see a dominate Dallas defense now lol*sarcasm*

Jake · Jan 12, 2013

He inherits a talented group but will they work in the Tampa 2 which u know he's going to force on them. Possible switch from base 3-4 to 4-3.

abyzmul · Jan 12, 2013

Jake said: ↑

He inherits a talented group but will they work in the Tampa 2 which u know he's going to force on them. Possible switch from base 3-4 to 4-3.
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He has two starting corners that excel in man coverage far better than zone.

Brook! · Jan 12, 2013

Jerry Jones is new Al Davis.

Even worse than Woody I would say

odessa · Jan 12, 2013

I think it's fair to say Jerry Jones has no clue how to run a NFL franchise.

72 year old Monty Kiffin takes over as Dallas DC

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72 year old Monty Kiffin takes over as Dallas DC

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