What Should You Expect from Brian Flores in Minnesota?

Brian Flores Earns
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports.

After the Minnesota Vikings saw a potential defensive coordinator fit in Ejiro Evero go to the Carolina Panthers, it seemed they might be left without their top options. However, Brian Flores accepted the job alongside Kevin O’Connell, and the defense instantly improved. Now, what will that look like next season?

Brian Flores has been a coach for a very long time. In fact, his career in the NFL started at age 23 when he was a Scouting Assistant for the New England Patriots back in 2004. He worked as a scout for a few years before being promoted to Special Teams Assistant in 2008. Conveniently, that was the year in which Kevin O’Connell joined the team as a rookie quarterback, and their paths first crossed.

What Should You Expect from Brian Flores in Minnesota?

By 2011, Flores was promoted to Defensive Assistant by mastermind head coach Bill Belichick. He held that role for a single season before taking over the safeties in 2012. In 2016 he transitioned to coaching linebackers, and by 2019 he was named the head coach of the Miami Dolphins.

Expect from Brian Flores
Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports.

You could say Flores has been a defensive disciple throughout his career. He was well-regarded by Belichick and earned a head coaching job without ever ascending to the coordinator ranks first. The Miami Dolphins were a mess when he got to the organization, and despite the best ownership efforts, he made them a respectable product on the field.

We have seen how he runs a defense as the head coach, and much of that can be expected to continue as a coordinator. With O’Connell’s background coming on the offensive side, we should see Flores have liberties to operate in a way he feels comfortable. That appears to mean plenty of pressure.

Flores or Bust
Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

Comparing the Dolphins defense and that of the Vikings is somewhat of a leap. Minnesota had the second-to-worst unit in football last season, so hoping that the personnel immediately translates is probably nothing short of fool’s gold. What Flores will likely do, however, is find a way to coach up what is existing and acquire talents that can fit his mold.

Well, Brian Flores Is All the Rage.
Brian Flores

Last season we saw Ed Donatell turn Mike Zimmer’s group into a 3-4 scheme. There is no telling whether that continues, but Flores will certainly have plenty of input regarding what talent is retained and what is moved on from. The Vikings are facing plenty of cap casualties, and Flores must figure out what will work best for him.

It may make sense to keep some of the veteran presence on the defense, but Flores can be expected to bring plenty of his own expertise. He’ll want leaders on the field, but given what we saw from the sidelines in Miami, it’s clear that the new coordinator is not shy of difficult situations.


Ted Schwerzler is a blogger from the Twin Cities that is focused on all things Minnesota Twins and Minnesota Vikings. He’s active on Twitter and writes weekly for Twins Daily. As a former college athlete and avid sports fan, covering our pro teams with a passion has always seemed like such a natural outlet.

Share: