Brian Flores focused on helping Steelers improve, not on lawsuit with NFL

Brian Flores said he takes about a minute a day to divert his attention from his day-to-day duties as linebackers coach for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

And when Flores takes that 60-second respite, the man who is suing the NFL and its 32 teams alleging racial discrimination in the league’s hiring process isn’t pondering the ongoing litigation. Or if he will get another chance to be a head coach.

“It’s probably somewhere along the lines of tomorrow we’ll get that right,” Flores said in his first extended interview since his February hiring as senior defensive assistant. “Or in this next (practice) period we’ll get that right. I’m on an everyday journey to try to improve and get better. That’s what I want for myself and our players. That’s normally where my one minute of the day about the future goes to.”

After filing his lawsuit Feb. 1 — he cited the Miami Dolphins, Denver Broncos and New York Giants specificially and the 29 others as “John Doe teams.” — Flores was out of work for less than three weeks. That’s when Steelers coach Mike Tomlin offered a spot on his staff that became open with the retirement of defensive coordinator Keith Butler. Teryl Austin, a senior defensive assistant in charge of defensive backs, was promoted to take Butler’s spot. Tomlin offered Austin’s old job to Flores but with an emphasis on coaching linebackers.

“I’m trying to help in any way that I can,” Flores said. “If that’s linebackers … if it’s getting water, I’ll get water, whatever it is to help the team win. That is what I’m about and helping guys get better. To me, that’s coaching.”

Flores was thankful for any chance to stay in the league. He hasn’t spent much time pondering whether he’ll get another chance to run a team since his firing in Miami when he was let go despite having a winning record in the final two of his three seasons.

“My focus really is on today, this team, this practice,” Flores said before the second day of minicamp. “I try to live in the moment and not think about things that have happened in the past or look too far into the future. I’m excited about the opportunity here.”

Flores, though, is aware of the NFL’s attempt to expand coaching opportunities for minority candidates in the wake of his lawsuit. At its spring meeting, the league again revised the Rooney Rule, which was devised in 2003 to ensure minority candidates received interviews for head coaching positions.

After being revised to include coordinator openings in 2020, the rule was expanded in 2021 to mandate at least two minority candidates had to be interviewed for head coaching jobs. This spring, quarterbacks coaches were added to the list.

Flores’ lawsuit contends that some of the interviews Black coaching candidates have received were shams, and he has gotten former head coach Steve Wilks and former defensive coordinator Ray Horton, who once was employed by the Steelers, to join his suit.

“I think anytime you create a situation where guys get opportunities, I’m all for that,” Flores said. “I’ll kind of leave it there. I’m just excited about being here in Pittsburgh, working with these players, these coaches and these people within the organization.”

For his part, Tomlin said Flores’ lawsuit is “none of our business” and hasn’t detracted from what the Steelers are trying accomplish by bringing him on board.

“We’re focused on the work that he does here, and the capacity in which he is employed to work here,” Tomlin said. “He’s doing a heck of a job. He’s providing great insight and instruction. He’s a hand-in-the-pile guy. Glad to have him.”

Inside linebacker Devin Bush, who struggled greatly in 2021 when he was returning from an ACL injury, appreciates the experience and insight that Flores brings to his position room.

“He’s a guy who is real football minded,” he said. “He loves the game. You can ask him any type of question, have any type of discussion with him. You can talk to him about football, life. He’s a real good addition to our squad.”

Safety Terrell Edmunds called Flores a “bulldog” who brings a “military mentality” to coaching. That could be attributed to Flores’ 15 seasons working with the New England Patriots under Bill Belichick. There, Flores coached special teams, defensive backs and linebackers.

“Look, I’m demanding,” Flores said. “I make no bones about it. I think a lot of coaches are. That’s coaching. Our guys have responded to it well. When you’re trying to help someone grow, get better, they need those details. When you need that push to get to the next level, I’ll always do that.”

Such attention to detail is what occupies Flores’ time these days. But what about when minicamp ends Thursday and the Steelers have a six-week break before reporting to training camp at Saint Vincent College. Might Flores focus more on the lawsuit that is hanging over the NFL?

“I’m going to pivot that focus right to my family,” he said. “This time has been exciting but at the same time I’m going back and forth. I’ve got a 9-year-old, 8-year-old and a 5-year-old along with a wife who is just tremendous. Most of my time and energy will be spent with them during my time off.”