· Joined the Browns in 2020 and helped the run defense finish ninth in the league after finishing 30th the previous season. Helped DE Myles Garrett earn first team All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors as he ranked among the league leaders in strip-sacks (tied for second with four), forced fumbles (tied for third with four), fumble recoveries (tied for third with two) and sacks (sixth with 12). Along with DE Olivier Vernon (nine), the Browns were one of just four teams to have a pair of teammates each record at least nine sacks in 2020.
· The Browns finished the 2021 season fifth in the NFL in total defense, marking just the third time since 1970 the team ranked in the top-five and the club's highest finish since 1987. Garrett earned first team All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors after setting the franchise single-season record with 16 sacks in 2021, including a team single-game record of 4.5 in Week 3. The 25 combined sacks between Garrett (16) and DE Jadeveon Clowney (9) were the second-most by a pair of Browns teammates in a season, trailing only the 26 by DE Reggie Camp (14) and LB Clay Matthews (12) in 1984.
· As a pass rush specialist coach with the 49ers in 2019, helped develop DE Nick Bosa, who was named the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year after recording nine sacks. In addition, San Francisco led the league in forced fumbles and passing yards per game. The 49ers also ranked among the NFL leaders in passing first downs allowed (150, tied for first), total yards per game allowed (281.8, second), average yards per play allowed (4.66, second), red zone trips allowed (40, second), defensive touchdowns (five, tied for third), sacks (48, tied for fifth), total takeaways (27, sixth), opposing passer rating (83.0, seventh) and points per game allowed (19.4, eighth).
· The 49ers finished the 2019 regular season 13-3, marking their best regular season record since 2011 (13-3) as San Francisco earned the top seed in the NFC for the first time since 1997 and advanced to Super Bowl LIV.
· In first season with the 49ers (2018), helped DL DeForest Buckner record a career-high 12 sacks en route to first career Pro Bowl selection.
· Named a finalist for the Broyles Award in 2017, recognizing college football's top assistant coach. As co-defensive coordinator/linebackers coach at Florida Atlantic, helped the team finish second in the nation with 20 interceptions. Helped future NFL LB Azeez Al-Shaair lead Conference USA in tackles (147) and set FAU's career total tackles mark (354).
· Developed future NFL draft picks in DE Robert Nkemdiche (first round in 2016) and DE Marquis Haynes (fourth round in 2018) as the defensive line coach at Mississippi (2012-16).
· Spent the 2011 season at Arkansas State as defensive line coach. The Red Wolves led the Sun Belt Conference in total defense (331.5 yards per game) and scoring defense (20.8 points per game). Future NFL DE Brandon Joiner earned Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Year honors as he tied for third in the nation in sacks (13) and 10th in tackles for loss (19).
· First NFL experience came as quality control intern with Tampa Bay in 2006 where he worked with the defensive line during offseason OTAs and minicamps.
· Began coaching at the University of Idaho where he spent two seasons (2005-06) as a coaching assistant.
· Played defensive tackle at Colorado State University.
· Older brother, Lane, is the head coach at Ole Miss.
· Father, Monte, is a longtime coach, including 24 seasons in the NFL.
· Kiffin and his wife, Angela, have four children: daughters, Bella, Grace and Taylor, and son, Christian.
Chris Kiffin's Coaching Background:
2005-06 University of Idaho, coaching assistant
2006 Tampa Bay Buccaneers, offseason quality control intern
2007 University of Mississippi, graduate assistant
2008-09 University of Nebraska, offensive quality control coach
2010 University of Southern California, defensive administrative assistant
2011 Arkansas State University, defensive line coach
2012-16 University of Mississippi, defensive line/defensive recruiting coordinator
2017 Florida Atlantic University, co-defensive coordinator/linebackers coach
2018-19 San Francisco 49ers, pass rush specialist
2020- Cleveland Browns, defensive line coach
