Brian Flores Snubbed From Shortlist
Ever since Brian Flores joined the Minnesota Vikings following the 2022 season, Skol Nation has been on Flo-watch, trying to figure out whether or not he would find a team interested in hiring him as a head coach. So far, it hasn’t happened. He had a few interviews lined up last year, but all the teams with openings went in different directions.
Brian Flores Snubbed From Shortlist
This year, Flores’ defense hasn’t quite been as impressive as last year’s unit. The team’s total uncompetitiveness surely hasn’t helped him get into the spotlight.
This year, there has been very little buzz about him getting a promotion elsewhere. The latest evidence is Dianna Russini’s list of head coaching candidates.
The insider of The Athletic released a list on Saturday, writing, “Expect these assistant coaches to garner serious looks in the upcoming coaching cycle: Chiefs OC Matt Nagy, 49ers DC Robert Saleh, Colts DC Lou Anarumo, Broncos DC Vance Joseph, Dolphins DC Anthony Weaver, Seahawks OC Klint Kubiak, Rams DC Chris Shula, Commanders OC Kliff Kingsbury, Packers DC Jeff Hafley, Bills OC Joe Brady and Jags DC Anthony Campanile.”
It would be appreciated if Packers DC Jeff Hafley were removed from the division, but Flores might not see it the same way.
Russini added, “Since 2011, at least five head-coaching vacancies have popped up each cycle. Right now? Only two teams have openings: the Giants and Titans. That number will go up. There are no guarantees these jobs will come open, but many around the league are asking questions about the Atlanta Falcons, Cleveland Browns, Arizona Cardinals and Cincinnati Bengals, in addition to the Raiders. Coaches have about a month left, maybe through the playoffs, to prove they can handle the big seat.”
Flores has a list of problems that could scare teams away, including the infamous lawsuit and the failure to build a relationship with Tua Tagovailoa during his Miami days. The lawsuit will remove the Giants, as they specifically are on the other side. Furthermore, teams with young quarterbacks might not be interested whatsoever after the Tua disaster.
If that’s the case, of Russini’s list, only the Bengals and the Cardinals remain. The latter currently employs a defensive head coach, and franchises rarely go with two consecutive defensive minds. Cincinnati’s horrendous defense might need Flores’ presence.
During the 2024 season, Flores was asked whether he still has the intention to return to the top 32 jobs in the business.
“Now, I may get some resistance from my kids, who are having a great time here in Minnesota. They’re having a fantastic time here just with school, and basketball, and football, and friendships and things like that. I’d get a little resistance, but for me personally, it’s something that I’d love to do again. With that said, Minnesota has been a great spot for me. My family, we’re really enjoying it,” the defensive coach said about a year ago.
Flores was the head coach of the Miami Dolphins from 2019 to 2021. He brought them back to relevance. Winning a handful of games with the 2019 roster was one of the most impressive coaching jobs in recent years.
A year as an assistant in Pittsburgh in 2022 was followed by his defensive coordinator position in Minnesota. Without any doubt, he has one of the most fascinating defensive schemes in all of football. Paired with head coaching experience, Flores can’t be entirely overlooked as a head coaching candidate, but he has yet to gain any steam.
Flores is in a contract year, so another team giving him a promotion isn’t the only way for the Vikings to require a new defensive coordinator next season.
Editor’s Note: Information from PFF, Over The Cap, and Sports Reference helped with this article.