Brian Flores emerging as top candidate for Dolphins head coach position

The Miami Dolphins may have found a favorite candidate to replace Adam Gase as the team’s next head coach.

According the Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald, Dolphins owner Stephen Ross and general manager Chris Grier met with New England Patriots linebackers coach and defensive play caller Brian Flores last week and “came away impressed.” Beasley explained that “one source went so far as to say that Flores is near if not at the top of the Dolphins’ list.”

Flores has been with the Patriots organization since 2004 and has a very diverse resume to his name. He’s worked as a scouting assistant, pro scout, special teams assistant, assistant offense and special teams coach, defensive assistant, safeties coach, linebackers coach, and most recently, play caller for the Patriots defense.

Under Flores’ play calling for the 2018 season, New England’s defense ranked 7th in points per game (20.3), 21st in total yards per game (359.1), 11th in rushing yards per game (112.7), and 22nd in passing yards per game (246.4).

Flores has recently been touted as one of the league’s young, up-and-coming head coaching candidates. He interviewed for the Arizona Cardinals head coaching job last year and reportedly impressed the Cardinals brass, but the team ultimately decided to give the job to the recently fired Steve Wilks. This year, Flores interviewed for the Cleveland Browns head coaching job while also generating interest from the Denver Broncos. NFL Network’s Pete Schrager described Flores as “fiery” and “beloved by the players” in a Good Morning Football profile of the 37-year old coach earlier this year.

Flores, the son of Honduran immigrants, grew up in Brooklyn, New York, where he attended Poly Prep Country Day School. Flores went on to play linebacker at Boston College, but an injury prevented him from pursuing a playing career in the NFL. He got his first job with the Patriots after graduating college.

With regards to Miami’s head coaching job, nothing has been decided yet. Multiple reports have also mentioned Dallas Cowboys defensive backs coach and former Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator Kris Richard as a top candidate for Miami’s head coaching position. Richard has also interviewed for the New York Jets and Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coaching job (though the Bucs have reportedly hired Bruce Arians to fill the vacancy).

Thus far, the Dolphins have interviewed Flores, Richard, New Orleans Saints defensive coordinator Dennis Allen, and Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator for Miami’s head coaching position. It’s expected that special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi will also be given an opportunity to interview later this week.

Want more Dolphins news? Follow Justin Hier on Twitter @HierJustin.