Cowboys looking at Monte Kiffin and Ray Horton for DC

[ThomasTomasz]

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and coach Jason Garrett have focused their search for a defensive coordinator on longtime NFL assistant Monte Kiffin, according to team and league sources.

It is unknown whether the 72-year-old Kiffin has been offered the job, but he has emerged as the leading candidate from a list that also includes Ray Horton, a former Cowboys player and current Cardinals defensive coordinator who has interviewed for several head-coaching positions recently.

If Kiffin is hired, the Cowboys would be switching from a 3-4 defensive front to a 4-3, forcing pass-rusher DeMarcus Ware to play defensive end, with his hand on the ground for the first time in his career.

Kiffin resigned as defensive coordinator at USC, where his son Lane is the head coach and expressed his desire to return to the NFL.

Jones, Garrett and Kiffin could not be reached for comment.

Andy Reid was interested in appointing Kiffin to be his defensive coordinator when he took over the Kansas City Chiefs but Kiffin was not interested in that opportunity.

Kiffin has been an NFL defensive coach for 26 years, half of those with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he helped the franchise win its only Super Bowl after Jon Gruden replaced Tony Dungy.

Garrett was a backup quarterback with the Bucs in 2004 when Kiffin was the defensive coordinator.

Kiffin is creator of the Tampa 2 defense and is mastermind of one of the most successful defenses in league history. The Bucs ranked in the top 10 in fewest yards and points allowed 10 times, a league record.

The Cowboys fired Rob Ryan on Tuesday after two seasons as defensive coordinator.

http://espn.go.com/dallas/nfl/story...s-dallas-cowboys-search-defensive-coordinator

 

[JeremyHight]

I think you spelled Monte wrong.

 

[ThomasTomasz]

I think you spelled Monte wrong.

Who the hell knows........I'm pretty damn exhausted and didn't catch that.

 

[Glenbino]

Can't wait for Cowboys fans to tell me how either of these guys isn't a GIGANTIC upgrade over the lesser of the Ryan brothers.

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[BigBucs]

Monte

 

[Derrville]

I knew the change to 4-3 was coming but with Kiffin at the helm... that would be awesome.

 

[Argath]

Fuck I hope it's not monte

 

[SHOGUN]

Keep your filthy hands off my DC, you damned dirty apes.

:bobbyv:

 

[Glenbino]

If they're looking at DCs to just make a lateral move for more pay I'm surprised they're not looking at Del Rio too... He's done a great job this season.

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[Diivox]

Horton is still under contract with the Cardinals. If for some reason he is not named the HC - which I expect him to be, but - The new HC will be told in no uncertain terms that Horton is still DC.

People crack me up when they call Horton a token Rooney Rule interview. The guy has head coach written all over him, aside from the questionable choice of corn rows at his age. From management to the fans to people like me who just live in the city, we all love him for how hard he had that defense playing even long after there was no hope for a playoff berth or even basic offensive production. he's not going anywhere.

 

[s@ppisgod]

Don't go to that franchise, Monte. You're better than that. Although it would be kinda awesome to see what he could do with Ware.

 

[ThomasTomasz]

Horton is still under contract with the Cardinals. If for some reason he is not named the HC - which I expect him to be, but - The new HC will be told in no uncertain terms that Horton is still DC.

People crack me up when they call Horton a token Rooney Rule interview. The guy has head coach written all over him, aside from the questionable choice of corn rows at his age. From management to the fans to people like me who just live in the city, we all love him for how hard he had that defense playing even long after there was no hope for a playoff berth or even basic offensive production. he's not going anywhere.

Because whether or not they are qualified, the media is portraying it to be that way. Horton and Lovie Smith are both well-qualified to coach teams, and I would rather take them over either Andy Reid or Chudzinski right now (I've never been an Andy Reid fan for his playcalling and this he's overrated as a coach, his stop in KC is either going to prove me right or wrong.)

And that portrayal is what is wrong with the Rooney Rule. Lets judge these guys based on their merits and qualifications, not interview someone just to fill a quota.

 

[Diivox]

And that portrayal is what is wrong with the Rooney Rule. Lets judge these guys based on their merits and qualifications, not interview someone just to fill a quota.

the irony is, the people who just automatically assume he is unqualified, are using the same kind of mindset that justifies the rule in the first place. They aren't bothering to examine his qualifications and just assume that because he is black he's being a token black guy, when he's a top 5 DC.

 

[Bear Pand]

Maybe I'm missing something, but why in the world would the Cowboys want a Tampa2 coach?

 

[Glenbino]

Kiffin took the job. Huge improvement for the boys.

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[NAHSTE]

Terrible hire, IMO. Game has passed papa Kiff by.

 

[Glenbino]

Terrible hire, IMO. Game has passed papa Kiff by.

10th in points allowed and 9th in yardage allowed when he left for college in 2008.

That would have been the best season of Rob Ryan's career.

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[NAHSTE]

10th in points allowed and 9th in yardage allowed when he left for college in 2008.

That would have been the best season of Rob Ryan's career.

2008 was a long time ago, and he has been bad in college. Good thing the type of offense he has no idea how to defend are not at all proliferating the NFL game though!

 

[Glenbino]

2008 was a long time ago, and he has been bad in college. Good thing the type of offense he has no idea how to defend are not at all proliferating the NFL game though!

2008 wasn't that long ago and he won't be facing teams that can make seemingly endless substitutions as was the case in college because of roster sizes.

He has a long track record of being a great defensive coordinator in the NFL and I think if anything the college experienced makes him a more well rounded guy now because he's seen a lot more variations of the college offenses than other pro coordinators.

Either way, he's light years ahead of Rob Ryan as a DC and any upgrade is a good hire to me.

Some guys are just more effective in the pro game than they are in college.

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[KINGOFOOTBALL]

Still don't know how I feel about this. Our corners aren't exactly prototype cover 2 guys. We have zero potential for pass rush on the Dline outside of Ware. Ware is getting old and noone else is capable of playing DE.
Plus Kiffin is 100.