Brian Flores is ready for Round 2! After a crazy ride as the Miami Dolphins head coach, the defensive mastermind is eyeing a return to the big chair. Despite a turbulent tenure filled with controversy, legal battles, and a coaching shakeup, Flores proved his chops on the field, leading a Miami defense that punched above its weight.
Now, as the Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator, he has a No. 1-ranked defense in the NFL. But will the next head coaching carousel stop at Flores’ door?
Brian Flores Eyes Head Coach Role Again After Proving Himself With Vikings
Flores is itching to jump back into the HC chair. After a roller-coaster ride in Miami, he now has his eyes set on another shot at the top job.
“Look, there’s only 32 of these jobs, so I would certainly want to be a head coach in this league again,” Flores told The Adam Schefter Podcast.
The 43-year-old has proven himself as a defensive wizard, with the Vikings’ defense sitting at No. 1 in the NFL by DVOA (talk about a flex!). But Flores’ time in Miami left more than just a few scars. He’s been battling accusations of racial discrimination after his firing and a lawsuit that had the league on its heels.
“I think a lot of people view the Miami experience as all negative,” Flores asserted, but the coach insists it wasn’t all doom and gloom. “I really, really come out of it in a positive way and excited about where I am now.”
Minnesota has been a cozy fit, but Flores isn’t staying in the coordinator lane for long. “For me personally, I think [being a head coach] is something that I would love to do again,” he added.
Flores Credits Mike Tomlin for Leadership Lessons and Lifeline Back To Coaching
Flores is thankful Mike Tomlin gave him a lifeline when it seemed like his NFL career might be over. After suing the NFL in 2022, Flores was offered a position with the Pittsburgh Steelers — a step down from head coach but one that kept him in the league.
Now the Vikings’ DC, Flores credits Tomlin for showing him how to lead in a way that resonates with players.
On The Adam Schefter Podcast, Flores compared Tomlin’s coaching style to that of Bill Belichick, saying, “Bill’s the GOAT. Mike T is kinda like the next generation GOAT. Both share core philosophies but deliver them differently. Bill will say, ‘You can’t win until you keep from losing.’ And Mike will say, ‘If you wanna be a kick-ass team, don’t kick your own ass.'”
Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores, whose unit leads the NFL in takeaways with 20, helped learn and refine his craft from former Patriots HC Bill Belichick and Steelers HC Mike Tomlin.
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Flores, who spent 2022 in Pittsburgh, learned a lot from Tomlin’s approach. He was particularly inspired by Tomlin’s ability to hold the room’s attention during team meetings.
“He’s got line after line after line,” the former Dolphins HC alluded. Flores’ time under Coach Tomlin has made him a stronger candidate to once again become a head coach.