Yet another farewell. The college football world comes together to mourn the loss of former NFL DC Monte Kiffin. With Deion Sanders paying his respects, we’re reminded of the legends who shaped the game. The current Ole Miss Rebels head coach, Lane Kiffin’s father, has passed away at 84.

Monte will continue to live among fans and players as the man behind the renowned “Tampa 2” defense. Meanwhile, Coach Prime pours in his tribute and stands by Lane’s side in his difficult time. Their bonds have strengthened as the Ole Miss HC recently named Deion the GOAT.

Deion honors the genius behind the “Tampa 2” defense

Monte’s coaching career stretched back to 1966 when he took the helm of Nebraska as the graduate assistant. His latest stint was with his son Lane’s squad as the personnel analyst. Like many others, Deion was moved by this news and shared his thoughts on X. Coach Prime wrote, “@OleMissFB God Bless the Kiffin family, friends and Loved ones. Praying for u @Lane_Kiffin.”  

Monte’s legacy transcends wins and losses. He will forever be associated with the “Tampa 2” defense, a variant of Tony Dungy’s “Cover 2.” Blessed with one of the greatest defensive minds, Lane’s father played a crucial role in helping the Tampa Bay Buccaneers win Super Bowl XXXVII. If defensive prowess were an art, he would be the Da Vinci behind the 2002 Buccaneers’ masterpiece. 

Now that this season is crucial for the Colorado Buffaloes, particularly after their 2023 defensive collapse, it’s a devastating loss for Sanders, who otherwise would have looked up to Monte for some eleventh-hour hacks. Do not worry; he can now run to Lane. Wait! Did the Ole Miss HC call Deion a GOAT? 

Lane acknowledges Deion as his favorite

All this started with a post that the Transfer Portal posted on X. The collage featured the great trio: Deion Sanders, Lane Kiffin, and Dan Lanning. The caption caught the eye as it asked: Who is the Portal GOAT? While the comments section was divided into three groups, Coach Prime had found his biggest fan. It’s none other than the Ole Miss HC. Re-sharing the tweet, Lane openly cast his vote for the Buffs HC, as he wrote, “Coach Prime!!! @CUBuffsFootball”. 

After all, the Rebels HC had to give Deion a shout-out, mainly after Coach Prime managed the disastrous transfer season with the calm of a Zen master. He turned the defeat into an opportunity to allure high-caliber talent. He overturned the narrative, thanks to a massive overhaul in which 44 players left and 41 players joined.   

While Ole Miss and Colorado Buffaloes will soon lock horns in the race for Big 12, beyond the field, Deion Sanders and Lane Kiffin are one high-five army. With the Rebels HC facing personal challenges, the college and NFL football community feel the weight of this loss.