Buccaneers name Morris defensive coordinator

Dec 25, 2008 - 9:43 PM TAMPA, Florida (Ticker) -- The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have found their replacement for Monte Kiffin.

The Buccaneers announced Thursday that secondary coach Raheem Morris will take over as the team's defensive coordinator, effective at the end of the 2008 season.

Morris, 33, has coached the defensive backs for Tampa Bay the past two seasons, with his unit ranked among the best in that span.

Morris will replace Kiffin, 68, who is leaving the team after 13 seasons to join his son, Lane Kiffin, who was named head coach at the University of Tennessee last month.

Kiffin will hold the post through Sunday's game against the Oakland Raiders and into the playoffs should the Buccaneers qualify.

"We've evolved," Buccaneers coach Jon Gruden said on the team's web site. "Raheem's been with me a long time and I've got a lot of respect for him. He's taken steps every year. He's had a hand in a lot of the success that we've had here.

"Obviously he's got some big shoes to fill, but I think he's capable."

Morris is in his sixth year overall with the club. He originally joined Tampa Bay's coaching staff as a defensive quality control coach in 2002.

He also served as a defensive assistant in 2003, and as assistant defensive backs coach in 2004 and 2005.

Morris served as defensive coordinator at Kansas State in 2006 before returning as Tampa Bay's defensive backs coach in 2007.