Brian Flores’ Masterclass in 2025 Earns Him NFL Honors Finalist Nod - And Rightfully So
Brian Flores just added another line to what’s becoming a seriously impressive coaching resume. On the heels of a dominant season coordinating the Minnesota Vikings' defense, Flores has been named one of five finalists for the Associated Press' Assistant Coach of the Year Award. And if you watched even a handful of Vikings games this season, that recognition feels more than earned - it feels inevitable.
Now in his third year running Minnesota’s defense, Flores coached the 2025 season on an expiring deal, which officially ended on January 14. Despite interviewing for head coaching vacancies in Baltimore and Pittsburgh, Flores opted to re-sign with the Vikings on Wednesday. If one of those head jobs doesn’t materialize in the coming days, Minnesota fans will gladly welcome him back for a fourth season - and with good reason.
Let’s be clear: Flores didn’t just field a solid unit in 2025 - he orchestrated one of the most disruptive, fundamentally sound defenses in the league. And he did it without a single Pro Bowler on the roster.
That’s right. Zero Pro Bowl selections.
Yet the Vikings' defense still managed to lead the NFL in pressure rate and no-blitz pressure rate - a testament to Flores’ ability to manufacture chaos without selling out the backend. That approach paid off in a big way: Minnesota finished second in passing yards allowed (158.5 per game), third in total yards allowed (282.6 per game), and seventh in scoring defense (19.6 points per game).
Those are elite numbers, and they weren’t padded in garbage time or against weak competition - they held up across the grind of a full season.
And when it mattered most, Flores’ unit got even better.
During the Vikings’ five-game winning streak to close the regular season, the defense clamped down like a vise, giving up just 224.4 total yards and 10.4 points per game. That’s not just good - that’s the kind of defensive performance that wins playoff games.
Even without the star power, Minnesota’s defense played like a group that trusted the scheme, communicated at a high level, and executed with discipline. That’s coaching.
Flores is up against some strong competition for the Assistant Coach of the Year honor: Vic Fangio (Eagles DC), Vance Joseph (Broncos DC), Klint Kubiak (Seahawks OC), and Josh McDaniels (Patriots OC). Each has a case, but Flores brings a unique blend of schematic brilliance and results-driven leadership to the table. This is his second straight year as a finalist - he came up short last season to Ben Johnson, who parlayed that momentum into the top job with the Chicago Bears.
Whether or not Flores takes home the hardware this time, his 2025 campaign stands as one of the best examples of how elite coaching can elevate a unit beyond its individual parts. He didn’t need a roster full of All-Pros - he just needed a group willing to buy in and a playbook that made life miserable for opposing quarterbacks.
If he ends up landing a head coaching job this offseason, he’ll leave Minnesota with his legacy intact. If not, the Vikings will be more than happy to keep one of the game’s best defensive minds in their building for another year. Either way, Brian Flores has earned every bit of the spotlight he’s getting right now.