Vikings Request Interview with Highly Touted DC Candidate
Earlier this week, the Minnesota Vikings officially made the announcement that defensive coordinator Ed Donatell would not be returning to the team in 2023. Now, they’ve begun the process of replacing Donatell, and while there are a number of intriguing candidates, the Vikings have made their first official interview request this weekend. That request goes to a very popular candidate: Brian Flores.
Vikings Request Interview with Brian Flores
Funny enough, Flores has never been a defensive coordinator throughout his NFL coaching career. He got his coaching career started with the New England Patriots where he spent the 2004-18 seasons. That is where he crossed paths with Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell, who played for the Patriots in 2008.
During his first years in New England, Flores was part of the Patriots scouting team before earning roles as the special teams assistant (2008-09), special teams coordinator (2010), defensive assistant coach (2011), safeties coach (2012-15), and linebackers coach (2016-18). With New England, he was part of four Super Bowl winning teams.
Then, in 2019, Flores was hired by the Miami Dolphins to be their head coach. He was the head coach for three seasons before being fired in 2021 despite back-to-back winning seasons for Miami. Overall, his head coaching record was 24-25. In the previous three seasons before Flores’ arrival, Miami had gone 23-25.
After his departure, Flores became senior defensive assistant and linebackers coach in Pittsburgh for former Vikings defensive coordinator Mike Tomlin, and making him the most over-qualified linebackers coach in the NFL.
Flores was requested to interview for the Cardinals’ head coaching job this offseason after Arizona fired Kliff Kingsbury, and he may even be a front-runner for that spot right now. That is the one downside to the Vikings hiring Flores now, as he would likely not be a long-term solution for the purple team. Even if he doesn’t get a head coaching gig this offseason, he will likely get another chance somewhere sooner rather than later.
Many fans despised the Ed Donatell defense this season due to a lack of blitzing. If you are one of them, Flores should be a top candidate. During his seasons as a head coach, the Miami Dolphins ranked 11th, 2nd, and 2nd in blitz percentage in the entire NFL. With talented pass rushers like Danielle Hunter, and potentially still Za’Darius Smith, there’s a very good chance that this percentage remains high with the Vikings.
Overall, Minnesota is far from making a final decision about their DC spot. This is just the first official interview request that we are aware of. As more news regarding the coaching position comes out, be sure that PurplePTSD will have you covered.
Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho with a bachelor’s degree in Creative Writing. He also earned minors in History, Human Biology, and Journalism. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys marathon training, playing video games, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. For more of his opinions, check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.