Betting on Himself

Monte Kiffin died yesterday, at the ripe old age of 21 (he was born on Leap Day, Feb 29th, so every year he made it a point of letting us know that he was actually only ? as old as we might’ve thought).

Just about every week during my three years with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Monte would walk through the Scouting Department, where my office was, and announce that the defense had probably “the biggest challenge that any defense has ever faced” because “Brett Favre is unlike any other quarterback” (or Michael Vick, or Tom Brady, or Dante Culpepper, or Peyton Manning, or when he’d really get on a roll, Tommy Maddox or Patrick Ramsey…).

But my first memory of Monte was when he walked into Rich McKay’s office, next to mine, in January of 2001 and announced that he was leaving the Bucs. I could hear him through the paper-thin walls of the old Bucs’ facility: “I really feel called to head back to the University of Nebraska. Get to work with those college kids again. It’s a special place. It’s home.” He stayed a few minutes with Rich, then headed back down the hall to his office.

I’d only been with the Bucs for a couple of weeks at that point, and shot into Rich’s office. “Monte’s leaving? This is terrible! This team is built around defense! I know, (Head Coach) Tony Dungy will still be here, but…”

Rich, the team’s General Manager, shook his head. “Monte’s not going anywhere. He’s been doing this lately. Every year he signs a one-year contract, then says he’s going back to Nebraska when the contract is up.”

“He hasn’t coached at Nebraska in over twenty years. He and his wife love that they can drive to the beach in the afternoons, and as best as I can tell, there’s no beach in Nebraska.”

“And yet, every year, we give him yet another one-year contract making him the highest-paid defensive coordinator at any level of football. Because every year, he bets on himself.”

You’re probably thinking, “Big deal. He was coaching Derrick Brooks, Warren Sapp, Ronde Barber, John Lynch, Simeon Rice, and so on. I’d have bet on myself, too.” But keep in mind that when I arrived in Tampa, rumors were swirling that Tony was on the hot seat (and in fact was fired following that season), so continued employment was not guaranteed, for any of us.

In fact, with all the uncertainty, I’d insisted on a two-year contract. (Note: the following year the Bucs blocked me from heading to the Chicago Bears as the Assistant GM. Apparently I should’ve had Monte negotiate my deal.)

While I was being blocked from leaving, Monte walked in (after Tony was fired and Bill Parcells signed but then didn’t come and Marvin Lewis was hired and then un-hired and we sat without a head coach for a month) and said, “You know, Rich, we don’t even have a head coach, and I’m really feeling the pull of heading back to Nebraska…”

Rich didn’t even look up. “Let me take a look at some numbers, Monte, and I’ll put something on your desk…”

I understand that Monte started agreeing to longer contracts (after I was no longer with the Bucs). Ultimately, there’s a time and place for different approaches, I guess: “for everything, there is a season.”

But do remember your capabilities. Whether or not you choose to bet on yourself, carry yourself with that boldness Monte had. You’ve got strengths that are unique to you. Terrific capabilities. You’re unique.

You’re valuable. Just like Monte.

Have a great day!

~ Nathan