Posted by: Josh Kendall on December 27, 2012

When Southern Cal's Sun Bowl game against Georgia Tech is over Monday, so too will be the collegiate coaching career of one of the game's all-time great assistant coaches -- Monte Kiffin.

Kiffin left the NFL after 26 years as an assistant there to become his son Lane's defensive coordinator at Tennessee and then with the Trojans. With the USC defense struggling this season (the Trojans are No. 63 in the nation in yards allowed), Monte Kiffin announced his resignation in November along with his plans to pursue a return to the NFL in some capcity.

The 72-year-old is not skating through his last week on a college sideline, his son said.

"Yesterday, he opened presents with the grandkids and went back to work," Lane Kiffin said Wednesday. "That's who he is. He's been so valuable for our players and our young coaches to be around. They see the way that he works. They have been great and even though we have really struggled at times on defense you see the players respect for him because of who he is and the way that he works and his relationship with him. He really cares about them."

After his Trojans completed a Sun Bowl practice, Kiffin also addressed this photo.

"I didn't think that looked real good on me," he said. "You ever put one on? They're heavier than you think."

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Josh Kendall is a staff writer for CoachingSearch.com and has covered the SEC for more than 15 years for papers such as the Athens Banner-Herald, Macon Telegraph, and The State. He’s the father of two boys who he’s hoping don’t inherit his wide receiver frame and offensive guard feet. Follow @EyeOnCoaches on twitter and send your feedback to josh@coachingsearch.com