Steelers asst coach Brian Flores says a call to Mike Tomlin turned into a job

Last week the Pittsburgh Steelers made a splash when they hired former Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores to be a senior defensive assistant coach. The move gives the Steelers perhaps the most overqualified linebackers coach in NFL history.

And according to Flores, the job happened somewhat by chance. In an interview with Bryant Gumble on Real Sports set to air Tuesday night on HBO and HBO Max, Flores admitted he called Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin for some counsel and it ended up turning into Tomlin offering Flores the job.

Here is an excerpt from the interview:

BRYANT GUMBEL: How long was this in the works?

BRIAN FLORES: It all happened very fast. I talked to– Coach Tomlin Thursday. Little bit more conversation on Friday. Accepted the job on Friday evening.

BRYANT GUMBEL: So it all came together after you had been shut out of the head coaching vacancies that were available after last season?

BRIAN FLORES: Yeah. All afterwards. I actually was, you know, callin’ Coach– Coach T. really to get some counsel. I was thinkin’ about, the next steps for me just from a coaching standpoint. And then that conversation turned into an opportunity there in Pittsburgh.

BRYANT GUMBEL: Do you think Coach Tomlin threw you a lifeline?

BRIAN FLORES: I’m a very– capable coach in this league. But I do feel like he saw a situation where there was– a very– experienced coach– who could help his staff, who was also a Black coach in the league. And I think– I think that– that kind speaks to what we’re talkin’ about.

Tomlin commented about the hire and seemed very ready to get such an experienced coach on the staff, regardless of the potential distractions having a coach who is suing the NFL on the payroll could be.

“I am excited about Brian Flores joining our coaching staff given his history of developing and teaching defensive players during his time in the NFL,” Tomlin said. “Brian’s resume speaks for itself, and I look forward to him adding his expertise to help our team.”

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