Tampa, FL (My Sportsbook) - The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have named secondary coach Raheem Morris as the replacement for longtime defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin.

Kiffin will remain the defensive coach for the remainder of the season and playoffs, should Tampa Bay qualify, and Morris will take over beginning in the 2009 season.

Kiffin will leave the NFL to join his son at the University of Tennessee. Lane Kiffin was introduced as Tennessee's new head football coach on December 1 and his father will now be the defensive coordinator of the Volunteers.

Morris has served as the Buccaneers' defensive backs coach for the last two seasons. He is currently in his second stint with the team, having served in a variety of defensive roles from 2002-05.

In 2006, Morris served as the defensive coordinator at Kansas State for one year before returning to the Buccaneers.

"We've evolved," Buccaneers head coach Jon Gruden said. "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, 32, will become one of the youngest coordinators in the NFL. After returning to the Buccaneers in 2007 the team's pass defense jumped from 19th in 2006 to first in 2007. He has also served a Minority Coaches Fellowship Internship with the New York Jets in 2001 and coached with Hofstra from 1998-2001 after playing with the school for four years as a safety.