Among the list of NFL head coaches on the hot seat after the regular season, many would’ve been surprised to see Brian Flores’ name. Sure, the Miami Dolphins aren’t a Super Bowl contender but Flores has improved the team, going from 5-11 in his first year to 10-6 and 9-8 seasons. That includes this season where after a 1-7 start, the Dolphins finished their season 8-1.
Despite all that, it wasn’t enough to save Flores his job as the Dolphins announced they have relieved Flores of his duties.
Statement from the Miami Dolphins. pic.twitter.com/Lh1WaAIRY9
— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) January 10, 2022
To say this is a surprise has been an understatement. The Dolphins were above .500 in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 2003 and while they missed out on the playoffs, they finished two games behind the AFC East champion Buffalo Bills and one game behind the New England Patriots.
Needless to say, given the squad he had, Flores had been getting everything he could out of the Dolphins and many are pointing out how his firing is a bad idea with some just coming out and saying it that maybe it’s race related.
The decision to fire Flores can be summed up with one word: Relationships. His relationship with Grier and Tua had deteriorated to a pretty bad place. Along with constant staff changes, owner Steve Ross no longer saw Flores as a healthy fit in Miami. https://t.co/9oRmk66hm9
— Jeff Darlington (@JeffDarlington) January 10, 2022
Black coaches often talk privately about how the leash is much shorter for them than their white counterparts.
Flores is a perfect example of this.— mike freeman (@mikefreemanNFL) January 10, 2022
I’m not a big on saying folks should lose their job but it’s interesting that folks are safe in New York and Carolina if Flores is out.
— Torrey Smith (@TorreySmithWR) January 10, 2022
Flores probably didn't play nice in the sandbox known as the NFL front office and probably moved too much sand around–which makes people feel uncomfortable. being uncomfortable is good for most of us when expectations are high.
— Michael Lombardi (@mlombardiNFL) January 10, 2022
Brian Flores is a great coach that’s wild.
— The Gilly Lock (@BumpNrunGilm0re) January 10, 2022
Brian Flores was fired before Matt Rhule and Joe Judge.
The owners of these three franchises deserve all the misery incoming.
— John Ellis (@1PantherPlace) January 10, 2022
This was Christian Wilkins after the game yesterday on Brian Flores and his leadership. Part of the reason why this is such a shocking move. #Dolphins pic.twitter.com/GR2rGhrCw3
— Mike Cugno (@MikeCugnoCBS4) January 10, 2022
I’m stunned by the Flores news
— Damien Woody (@damienwoody) January 10, 2022
Brian Flores in Miami:
—5-11 with a team that seemed like the worst in the NFL (5-4 after 0-7 start)
—10-6, missing playoffs by one game
—9-8 (8-1 after 1-7 start), missing playoffs by one gameDon’t know how you fire that, given the obvious roster problems https://t.co/vGNBGR2K47
— Rodger Sherman (@rodger) January 10, 2022
I mentioned I was hearing Flores could be surprise hot seat on yesterdays show but added it would be so short sighted of them to do so. They did so https://t.co/CIG8mReB26
— Jay Glazer (@JayGlazer) January 10, 2022
There were some rumblings that the Dolphins were considering bringing in a football czar to run football operations to oversee Grier and Flores.
It's possible Flores was not OK with that arrangement and they agreed to mutually part ways.
— Matt Cannata (@CannataPFN) January 10, 2022
I don’t know why the Dolphins fired Brian Flores, but I do know that that team showed a ton of fight and grit this year during a season thar could’ve turned into an abject disaster.
19 wins over the past two seasons. Cold business.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) January 10, 2022
Flores is gone and the GM stays even though he picked Tua over Herbert?? Makes no sense–
— Michael Lombardi (@mlombardiNFL) January 10, 2022
