Steelers Set to Interview Brian Flores for Head Coach Opening
The Pittsburgh Steelers are taking a familiar route as they begin their search for their next head coach, lining up an in-person interview next week with Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores. The meeting marks the first reported in-person interview for the Steelers since the hiring window opened for playoff team coaches.
Flores is no stranger to Pittsburgh. He spent the 2022 season as a senior defensive assistant under Mike Tomlin and Teryl Austin, helping guide a defense that remained one of the league’s most disciplined and opportunistic units. After that stint, he took over as defensive coordinator in Minnesota-and that’s where things really took off.
Let’s talk about the turnaround he engineered with the Vikings. When Flores arrived in 2023, Minnesota’s defense was coming off a rough year-28th in scoring defense under Ed Donatell.
In just one season, Flores vaulted them up to 13th. The following year?
They cracked the top five. And last season, they settled in at seventh.
That’s not just improvement-that’s a culture shift. Flores brought pressure, disguised coverages, and a level of aggression that made the Vikings defense one of the most unpredictable and effective groups in the league.
It’s the kind of transformation that gets noticed, especially by teams who know what he brings to the table. The Steelers saw it up close during his time in Pittsburgh, and it’s no surprise they’re giving him a serious look now.
Flores, 44, carries a résumé that goes far beyond his recent success in Minnesota. Before his brief but impactful stop in Pittsburgh, he was the head coach of the Miami Dolphins from 2019 to 2021. His tenure in Miami ended in controversy, followed by a lawsuit alleging racial bias in the NFL’s hiring practices-a bold move that many thought might sideline his coaching career for good.
But Pittsburgh gave him a shot, and he’s made the most of it ever since.
Before his head coaching days, Flores spent over a decade with the New England Patriots, climbing the ladder under Bill Belichick from special teams assistant to safeties and linebackers coach. He was part of four Super Bowl-winning teams in New England, building a reputation as a sharp defensive mind with a knack for player development and game-day adjustments.
This won’t be the only interview Flores takes this cycle-he’s also met with the Baltimore Ravens about their head coaching vacancy. But the Steelers’ interest carries a different kind of weight.
They’ve seen what he can do up close. They know how he fits into the building.
And with Pittsburgh looking to chart a new course, Flores’ blend of experience, leadership, and defensive acumen makes him a compelling candidate to lead the next era of Steelers football.