Fans, Media React To Steelers Hiring Brian Flores as Senior Defensive Assistant

The ex-Miami coach will get another opportunity in Pittsburgh while the lawsuit he filed remains unresolved.

Brian Flores landed a new job in the NFL, less than three weeks after he filed a lawsuit seeking class-action status against the league and three teams alleging discrimination in their hiring practices. 

The ex-Dolphins coach will join the Steelers as a senior defensive assistant and linebackers coach, the team announced on Saturday. 

The opportunity is quite the turnaround for Flores, who was relieved of his duties in Miami after the 2021 season. He posted a 24–25 record in three years with the Dolphins.

At the time of Flores‘s firing, many found the move surprising. The 40-year-old is widely considered to be one of the brightest defensive minds in football and had achieved quite a lot in Miami, with an understocked roster.

As a result, NFL fans, media members and former players alike were pleased to see Flores get another opportunity in the NFL with an organization like the Steelers.

Brian Flores might be the most overqualified linebackers coach in NFL history. He’s a top 15 head coach.

— Andrew Fillipponi (@ThePoniExpress) February 19, 2022

When Brian Flores interviews again for a head coach opening, he will have spent time learning under two of the smartest and winningest coaches in football history, and will have two winning seasons in three years at the helm.

— Seth Wickersham (@SethWickersham) February 19, 2022

Happy that Flores can still get a job in the league but it’s still sad that he has to go from having 2 winning seasons as a HC to position coach. https://t.co/VRRLyBctu4

— Ted Nguyen (@FB_FilmAnalysis) February 19, 2022

Good on Mike Tomlin and the Rooney family. https://t.co/rjCgLmZOPN

— Jim Nagy (@JimNagy_SB) February 19, 2022

What is a Senior Defensive Assistant? Asking for the former Head Coach https://t.co/d53olpBvG5

— Cari Champion (@CariChampion) February 19, 2022

There are valid questions about whether the Rooney Rule has to be adjusted to be more effective. No such questions about the actual Rooneys. https://t.co/oiy6pfulOe

— Judy Battista (@judybattista) February 19, 2022

After spending more than a decade with Bill Belichick and the Patriots, Flores will now have the opportunity to work alongside another well-regarded coach in Mike Tomlin. After Flores’ firing by the Dolphins, the longtime Steelers leader was the only Black head coach in the NFL for a time until Miami hired Mike McDaniel, who is biracial, to replace Flores, and the Texans hired Lovie Smith earlier this month.

“I am excited about Brian Flores joining our coaching staff given his history of developing and teaching defensive players during his time in the NFL,” Tomlin said, via a statement. “Brian‘s resume speaks for itself, and I look forward to him adding his expertise to help our team.”

Flores‘s lawsuit against the league, Dolphins, Giants and Broncos remains unresolved at this time. The NFL has hired a law firm that includes former U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch to defend against the claims.

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