Brian Flores expresses interest in Patriots head coaching job 

Patriots

“That’s not up to me as to whether or not they would want to talk to me or anything like that.”

The Patriots have already hit the ground running in their search for a new head coach.

Not only has New England interviewed a pair of candidates in Byron Leftwich and Pep Hamilton, but they are reportedly set to interview Mike Vrabel on Thursday — and have requested to speak with Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson. 

But could longtime Patriots defensive assistant — and current Vikings defensive coordinator — Brian Flores also be in the running to replace Jerod Mayo? 

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Flores expressed interest in returning to Foxborough. But the former Dolphins head coach also stressed that it’s not up to him when it comes to setting up an interview with the Patriots. 

“We’re talking about going home,” Flores said of the Patriots’ coaching vacancy. “Where it all started, so I think that’s a place that’s got a special place in my — when I talk about my football journey, that’s where it stated.

“I would say, yes. But at the same time, that’s not up to me as to whether or not they would want to talk to me or anything like that. That’s kind of my thought on that.”

It remains to be seen if the Patriots will also due to their due diligence and schedule an interview with Flores at some point this month — especially with the team reportedly tabbing Vrabel as the front-runner for their head coaching vacancy. 

By interviewing both Leftwich and Hamilton on Tuesday, the Patriots have already abided by the Rooney Rule — the NFL’s policy that requires teams to conduct in-person interviews with at least two external minority candidates.

With those requirements met, the Patriots now have the green light to make a hire — which could come as soon as late this week if New England moves quickly with Vrabel after Thursday’s interview. 

Still, if the Patriots are casting a wide net in their coaching search, a defensive-minded coach like Flores would make plenty of sense — especially given his familiarity with New England.

While he never served as defensive coordinator in New England, Flores served as both safeties coach (2012-15) and linebackers coach (2016-18) within Bill Belichick’s staff.

Before taking a job as the Dolphins’ head coach, Flores was New England’s defensive playcaller during the team’s sixth championship run in 2019 — culminating in a dominant defensive performance against the Rams where the Patriots held them to three points in Super Bowl LIII. 

Flores was head coach in Miami for three seasons — posting a 24-25 record. He is involved in a lawsuit with the NFL over racial discrimination, which has been ongoing since 2022.

Flores has impressed this year in Minnesota, coaching a defensive unit that ended the regular season fifth in the league in points allowed per game (19.5).

 

Conor Ryan is a staff writer covering the Bruins, Celtics, Patriots, and Red Sox for Boston.com, a role he has held since 2023.