Our Jimmy Hyams has learned that Monte Kiffin will be paid MORE than $1 million to join his son’s staff at Tennessee as defensive coordinator.

The elder Kiffin told his current team two weeks ago that he would be leaving the Buccaneers for the Volunteers… and as Cris Collinsworth pointed out on NBC’s “Football Night in America,” the Bucs immediately tanked.

It is believed by most that the deal for the elder Kiffin is done.

However, there are rumors in the wind that the senior Kiffin, who was expected to make $1 million, might have come back to Tennessee recently and asked for MORE money. 

He makes $2.2 million with Tampa Bay.  It is expected that his salary at UT could go as high as… get this… $1.5 million dollars.

So, will Monte be making more than a million because that was the original deal?  Or did he come back and ask for more once the news broke that he was coming?

We may never know.

As we pointed out on this site three weeks ago, Tennessee is prepared to hire the most expensive staff in SEC history if that’s what it takes.

Keep in mind, athletic director Mike Hamilton’s rear is on the line right beside Lane Kiffin.  He’ll pay what it takes to ensure Kiffin’s success and his own survival.

In related news, Lane Kiffin had planned to attend the Oakland-Tampa Bay game this weekend, but his father has told him not to come because his presence would serve as a distraction.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, December 23rd, 2008 at 4:30 pm and is filed under Homepage, Tennessee . You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.