Brian Flores, the ex-Miami Dolphins coach, has been warmly welcomed in Pittsburgh. The Pittsburgh Steelers recently hired Flores as a defensive assistant and linebackers coach, as reported by Brooke Pryor for ESPN.
“I’m thrilled to have Brian Flores join our coaching staff. His track record of nurturing and instructing defensive players in the NFL speaks for itself,” stated Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin in a press release. “I eagerly anticipate his valuable expertise contributing to our team’s success.”
We have named Brian Flores as our senior defensive assistant/linebackers.
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) February 19, 2022
Flores gives the Steelers a boost defensively where they seemed to struggle this previous year. The Steeler’s latest defensive coordinator (DC), Keith Butler, retired. This allowed Teryl Austin to be promoted to DC and Flores as an assistant. While many believe this is beyond a step down for Flores; there are groups of people who are extremely happy to see he’s received another chance. Several sources stated that he may be blackballed out of the league and ostracized for his latest actions against the NFL.
Why would the Pittsburgh Steelers sign Flores after the latest lawsuit?
Flores spent three seasons as Miami’s head coach, compiling a 24-25 record before being fired early January. Prior to Miami, he was the defensive play-caller for the New England Patriots and won Super Bowl LIII. He held the Los Angeles Rams to three points that game.
Flores sued the NFL, New York Giants, Miami Dolphins, and Denver Broncos. In the lawsuit, he alleges discrimination in the interview process with New York and Denver and within his firing by Miami. He alleges that Dolphins owner Stephen Ross offered him $100,000 for every loss in 2019 in an effort to tank for draft capital.
Flores alleges the Giants only interviewed him for their head-coaching vacancy in January to comply with the Rooney Rule. He also claims similar instances took place with the Broncos during the 2019 interview, per ESPN.
It seems people thought because hot got hired the lawsuit was dropped. However, Flores’s lawyer, Douglas H. Wigdor, issued a statement indicating the lawsuit would continue.
“Coach Flores is now dedicated to his new role, but he will also persevere with his race discrimination class action to drive meaningful change within the NFL,” stated Wigdor.
