It is good and bad news for an organization when the coordinators are realistic head coaching candidates, as it shows their excellent work but also risks losing one of the most important people in the franchise. In Minnesota, defensive coordinator Brian Flores has practically been a candidate for one of the 32 jobs since he was hired in 2023.
Brian Flores Addresses HC Aspirations
Minnesota is Flores’ first stop as a defensive coordinator. Previously, he held assistant coaching spots with the New England Patriots and Pittsburgh Steelers and was the Miami Dolphins’ head coach. A return to the highest coaching ranks in the league is still on his agenda, as he confirmed in an interview with ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Tuesday. He claimed he would love to become a head coach again, but it would have to be the right situation.
“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 think 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 mastermind said this week.
Flores is in year two with the Vikings. He was asked to fix the defense that was coordinated by Ed Donatell in 2022. Kevin O’Connell added Flo to his coaching staff one year after the Dolphins decided to let him go.
His stint with the Dolphins was complicated. There are rumors about him being asked to tank by the owner. Then there is the Tua Tagovailoa storyline, Miami’s quarterback, who didn’t hold back about his non-existent relationship with his former head coach, and the results were mixed, too. Flores took over a horrible roster and still won a respectable number of five games, followed by back-to-back nine-win seasons.
In Minnesota, he has transformed the defense, using a unique strategy involving heavy blitzing. Currently, his defense ranks first in the NFL in DVOA and EPA/play despite entering the season with some questions at cornerback and defensive tackle.
Last season, the defense had a ten-game stretch of similar results but fell apart late in the season, partly because of the scheme and the personnel. Vikings fans surely hope for a more reliable group this time. That, however, could come with Flores’ goodbye in January or February.
In addition to his family feeling welcome in Minnesota, head coach O’Connell could be another reason for a continued stay. Flores praised his relationship during the interview.
“It’s been fantastic. He’s all about vibe and energy and having the right energy across the board. I’ve been a few other places, this is the first time I’m working for an offensive head coach. So, to see that dynamic… really just spend time with him on his thought process from an offensive standpoint. That’s been new and different for me. Seeing the head coach-quarterback dynamic, because he’s really the best in the business from that standpoint, and just watching that dynamic. He does such a great job with that group. It’s been phenomenal. He and I have a great relationship. I pick his brain and ask him questions.
O’Connell won the head coaching sweepstakes in 2022 and joined his new club after winning the Super Bowl as the offensive coordinator of the Los Angeles Rams. Flores undoubtedly hopes for a similar storyline for himself and the organization.
In most offseasons, between five and ten coaching gigs are available, and Flores should be a candidate based on his on-field results.
Janik Eckardt is a football fan who likes numbers and stats. The Vikings became his favorite team despite their quarterback at the time, Christian Ponder. He is a walking soccer encyclopedia, loves watching sitcoms, and prefers Classic rock over other genres. Follow him on Twitter if you like the Vikings: @JanikEckardt
