General manager George Paton relieved Vic Fangio from his head coaching duties Sunday following the Denver Broncos season-ending loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.
As Black Monday for coaches and general managers began, a new top-shelf candidate has become available.
To the shock of the NFL community, the Miami Dolphins have relieved head coach Brian Flores of his duties.
Brian Flores is out as the Dolphins head coach, sources tell ESPN.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 10, 2022
Owner Stephen Ross decided Flores was not the right guy in Miami, but most believe this move was a mistake.
The firing of Brian Flores is ridiculous at best and incompetent at worst.
Flores won 19 games over 2 years in Miami (the Dolphins haven’t done that since 03) with a QB that is hurt as often as he’s healthy. He finished the year going 8-1. This move is what bad franchises do.
— Emmanuel Acho (@EmmanuelAcho) January 10, 2022
Jeff Darlington reported that Flores had strained relationships with multiple people within the Dolphins building, including his quarterback Tua Tagovioloa. The fractured relationships between Flores and other Dolphins front office personnel and his young quarterback are the deciding factors in his dismissal, per Darlington.
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
In Flores’ defense, he inherited a team without much talent and poor ownership to lead them from the AFC East basement to playoff contenders.
Additionally, Steve Ross is not the most revered owner in the league. Since 2009, the year Ross became the controlling owner of the team the Dolphins. During his reign as owner, the Dolphins have had three winning seasons, two of which have come the last two seasons under Flores.
It is safe to say Ross’s decision making should be questioned, especially in regards to Flores’ dismissal.
Why the Broncos should be interested in Flores as the team’s next head coach
Recently, the Broncos have not had is a head coach who can lead the team through adversity. Flores excels when the waters get choppy.
In 2019, his first season, the Dolphins had traded away key veterans in an obvious rebuild. The team went 5-4 over their last nine games including a win against New England Patriots in the season finale.
in 2020, Flores guided the Dolphins to the brink of the postseason with a surprising 10-6 record.
This season is a great example of Flores’s ability to lead his team through adversity. Flores guided the team from a 1-7 record to a 9-8 finish while sweeping both matchups with the Patriots.
So needless to say, the team’s onfield success leaves the firing of Flores confusing, to say the least.
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
Flores will garner immediate buzz as a head coaching candidate, one the Broncos should inquire about.
Paton emphasized leadership as the most important core competency for his next head coach.
“The No. 1 quality is leadership” Paton said. “We’re looking for someone to lead this entire organization, to lead this community, and to lead our players. That’s the No. 1 trait we’re looking for. Obviously, we want the best football coach. I’m not worried about what side of the ball, and I’m not worried about a play-caller. We want leadership. That’s our No. 1 priority.”
Flores himself identifies leadership as a key attribute in the success of a head coach.
“I have always believed that leadership is really about service, and I did my best to serve the players, the staff, and the organization every day,” Flores said in a statement after his firing. “I believe in this team and will always value the relationships my family and I made here.”
Flores gets the most out of his players. The perseverance the Dolphins showed this season is a prime example of Flores’s ability to motivate his players.
Paton should call and set up an interview with Flores as soon as possible.