Bucs defense chief to join son at Tenn.

TAMPA, Fla., Dec. 15 (UPI) -- Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin is joining his son's coaching staff at the University of Tennessee.

Lane Kiffin was introduced this month as Tennessee's new head football coach.

"I think we all respect his situation, we have tremendous respect for him," said Tampa Bay Coach Jon Gruden. "We had a pretty good indication that he was going to join his son."

Monte Kiffin leaves the Buccaneers 12 years after joining the Tampa Bay staff for the 1996 season and building one of the best defenses in the NFL. The Buccaneers have finished in the NFL's top 10 in fewest points allowed in 11 of the 12 seasons Kiffin has been defensive coordinator, and have allowed the fewest points (3,003) in the NFL since 1997.

The Bucs have given up the fifth-least amount of points through 14 games this season.

Monte Kiffin first joined the NFL coaching ranks in 1983 as the linebackers coach for the Green Bay Packers. HE has also coached with Buffalo, Minnesota, the New York Jets and New Orleans.