After losing out on two of their four DC candidates this past weekend, the Vikings swiftly hire Steelers’ linebacker coach, Brian Flores, per Ian Rapoport.
Sources: The #Vikings are set to hire #Steelers senior defensive assistant and LBs coach Brian Flores as their new defensive coordinator. He impressed from the beginning and now lands in Minnesota with a task of improving their defense. pic.twitter.com/3hiivs4P0h
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 6, 2023
It seemed like the Vikings were comfortable taking their time in making a decision but had to adjust quickly after their candidates began looking elsewhere. Sean Desai, defensive coordinator for the Seahawks, was the first domino to fall after he reportedly withdrew from the Vikings search in favor of focusing solely on Denver’s opening.
The other two front runners for the coordinator job were Flores and former Broncos’ DC Ejiro Evero. The latter just recently signed on with the Panthers to fill their vacated DC position with the decision to move on from interim head coach Steve Wilks. Unfortunately for Minnesota, Evero agreed to Carolina’s offer before he set foot in Eagan to interview for the Vikings’ opening.
The Vikings salvage their defensive coordinator search with a very credible hire. Ejiro Evero was their first choice but Flores is highly respected as well. https://t.co/V1zAV63wYN
— Kevin Seifert (@SeifertESPN) February 6, 2023
That left only the Vikings’ assistant head coach, Mike Pettine, and Flores as the remaining candidates from their initial pool. Pettine had little success over the years with running defenses and was likely only a formal candidate as an in-house name. Faced with the option to either offer Flores the job or bring in other candidates, the front office decides to bring in the former Miami Dolphins head coach. And fast.
Brian Flores spent a decade coaching under Bill Belichick, then received rave reviews from players during his 3 seasons as the Dolphins' head coach. He's a no-nonsense leader who will bring an aggressive defensive approach to Minnesota.
Just an incredible hire for the #Vikings.
— Will Ragatz (@WillRagatz) February 6, 2023
Brian Flores’ addition to the Vikings should prove beneficial, as he had turned around a league losing defense in Miami to be top ten before he was replaced as head coach this past season by Mike McDaniel.
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