Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores speaks to the media before practice at the Baptist Health Training Complex at Hard Rock Stadium on Wednesday, October 20, 2021 in Miami Gardens, Florida, in preparation for their game against the Atlanta Falcons at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, October 24.
David Santiago | Miami Herald | beautiful pictures
Brian Flores is back in the NFL.
The Pittsburgh Steelers hired the former Miami Dolphins coach on Saturday to serve as a senior defensive assistant. Flores will specialize in working with Pittsburgh’s defenders, a group that includes NFL Defensive Player of the Year TJ Watt.
The hiring comes less than three weeks after Flores, who is black, sued the NFL and three teams over alleged racist recruiting practices following his dismissal from Miami. Flores led the Dolphins to consecutive seasons before he was sacked in January.
Flores maintains his lawsuit will continue even if he finds another coaching job. He joins a restructured defense staffer in Pittsburgh after longtime coordinator Keith Butler retires. Teryl Austin was promoted to replace Butler earlier this month.
“I’m excited about Brian Flores joining our coaching staff because of his history of developing and teaching players defensively during his time in the NFL,” said Steelers coach Mike Tomlin. Steelers member Mike Tomlin said. “Brian’s resume speaks for itself and I look forward to him adding his expertise to help our team.”
Tomlin is the NFL’s longest-serving Black head coach and was one of only three blacks to lead the teams last season. Two others, Flores and David Culley of Houston, were fired. Houston then hired Lovie Smith, who was Black, and Miami hired Mike McDaniel, who was of two races.
