Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Flores still transitioning into new role
After Super Bowl, first-time head coach enjoying challenge
INDIANAPOLIS – The rebuilding Miami Dolphins have one particular trait they hope to uncover while interviewing prospective NFL players at the scouting combine this week.
It’s also a trait that helped 37-year-old Brian Flores stand above the rest when he interviewed to become the new Dolphins coach.
“You always want players that have had some adversity in their lives. It could be the smallest thing, but also it shows a little bit of their character and how they’ve worked to overcome things,” Dolphins general manager Chris Grier said during the combine on Wednesday.
“That’s some of the traits we’ve really liked about Brian. He’s just earned everything as an intern running to get coffee every day to being part of one of the greatest defensive performances of the Super Bowl, and now he’s the head coach of our organization.”
If the Dolphins are fortunate enough to draft players in Flores’ light, they may be able to transform their mediocre franchise through a prosperous rebuild.
Flores – who grew up in the rough Brownsville area of Brooklyn, N.Y. – worked in nearly every position of the New England Patriots organization for the last 15 years before being hired by the Dolphins on Feb. 4.
Flores began as a scout in 2004, shortly after tearing his quadriceps muscle during his senior year as a linebacker at Boston College, and became an assistant coach in 2008.
He was most recently the Patriots’ defensive play caller, instrumental in helping New England stifle the high-powered Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl LIII.
Now, his motive is to orchestrate the Dolphins’ revival.
“It’s a dream come true. But at the same time — and I’ve had this conversation with many people — I’m never going to feel like I arrived. This isn’t the finish line; this is the starting line for me,” Flores said of his first head-coaching job in the NFL.
“I’m excited to be in this position, but at the same time I know that there’s a lot of work to be done in all areas . ... We want to build a tough team, a smart team, a team that can play under pressure. Players need to know that. The entire organization needs to know that. We’re going to work towards that every day.”
The transition to becoming a first-time head coach has not been as smooth for Flores that began with a whirlwind 24 hours in which he won a Super Bowl and was introduced as Dolphins coach, but he is enjoying the challenge.
Flores was finally able to officially hire his coaching staff on Feb. 8 that features six assistants who he worked with on Patriots coach Bill Belichick’s staff, like new offensive coordinator Chad O’Shea and defensive coordinator Patrick Graham.
Flores also hired coaches with significantly more NFL experience than him like former Detroit Lions and Indianapolis Colts coach Jim Caldwell, who is expected to provide guidance for the rookie head coach.
The Dolphins staff and front office have evaluated the roster to identify needs they hope to meet during the 2019 NFL draft, which will be held April 25-27 in Nashville, Tenn.
Miami has a draft pick in each of the seven rounds of the draft, and hopes to identify several players who can help turn the franchise in a different direction.
Flores’ work on the roster began at this week’s combine.
“It’s been a blur, but it’s been fun,” Flores said. “I’m fortunate. I can complain about not sleeping, but the opportunity to coach this great organization and work with the people I’m working with, I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”