The first major staff change the Minnesota Vikings made under head coach Kevin O’Connell was at defensive coordinator.
That move was prompted following the Vikings’ 31-24 playoff loss to the New York Giants in the NFC Super Wildcard round. That same game saw the G-Men total 431 yards and averaged 6.3 yards per play, helping spark the change. Now, the newcomer is a former head coach and is considered one of the league’s top defensive minds.
Who Is Serving as Vikings Defensive Coordinator?
Brian Flores now has the defensive reigns for the Vikes. He is the franchise’s 18th defensive coordinator in team history.
Flores comes to Minnesota via the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he was the senior defensive assistant and linebackers coach under Super Bowl-winning head coach Mike Tomlin.
He additionally gives the Vikes an extra head coach on the staff. Flores is known for leading the Miami Dolphins for three seasons, compiling a 24-25 overall record with an 11-5 mark in his second season.
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Flores was fired on Jan. 10, 2022. However, stories began to surface that the Dolphins made the move to pursue past Super Bowl winner Sean Payton per the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. Flores then filed a class action lawsuit against the NFL for racial discrimination in the hiring process for head coaches — citing the Dolphins, New York Giants, and Denver Broncos in his suit.
Since then, he’s had stops in Steel City and now the Twin Cities.
How Long Has Brian Flores Been the Vikings Defensive Coordinator?
Again, Flores is in his first season with Minnesota.
O’Connell and the franchise officially hired Flores on Feb. 6, 2023. That means he’s now in his seventh month at his new post.
Surprisingly, even with a resume as a longtime NFL assistant, Flores has never been a defensive coordinator until now. He was always a special teams assistant or position coach (notably safeties and linebackers with the New England Patriots).
Flores has been coaching in the league since 2008, with the Pats and Bill Belichick giving him his first opportunity. Flores had a decade-long run with NE before going from LB coach to head coach of the Dolphins in 2019.
Who Was the Defensive Coordinator Before Flores?
Flores is replacing Ed Donatell, one of the first assistants hired by O’Connell.
Donatell was lured in after a three-season run with the Denver Broncos.
The Vikings, however, were 31st overall in yards allowed and 28th in points allowed. Including the playoff loss, Donatell’s unit allowed 30 points or more in six games, going 2-4 in those games.
Flores is heading to a franchise with a strong history of defensive coordinators. Notable names who held the same role include Tomlin, Leslie Frazier, Monte Kiffin, and Tony Dungy.
