PITTSBURGH (Washington Insider Magazine) – Brian Flores, the former coach of the Miami Dolphins who is currently suing the NFL over allegations of discrimination, has landed a new position with a new club.
Flores will be the senior defensive assistant/linebackers coach for the Pittsburgh Steelers coming season, the team announced on Saturday.
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said, “Brian’s career speaks on its own, and we look forward to him lending his experience to help our team.”
Flores’ lawyers, John Elefterakis of EEP Law and Douglas H. Wigdor of Wigdor LLP, stated in an announcement on Saturday that their client’s lawsuit against the NFL will go on.
Flores’ lawsuit alleges that the NFL has discriminated against Black coaches seeking a head coaching position, citing an instance in which he was granted an interview for a head coaching position with the New York Giants, according to ABC NEWS.
After back-to-back successful seasons with the Dolphins, the 40-year-old was dismissed last month and was meeting with other clubs.
Flores claimed he contacted his mentor, Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots, about the forthcoming encounter.
According to copies of the conversations contained in the complaint, Belichick reportedly texted Flores before the meeting to congratulate him on being hired by the Giants.
According to the screengrabs, Belichick later responded back, signaling that he’d made an error and that Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Brian Daboll would be hired instead — 3 days prior to Flores’ interview.
Flores’ charges were “without merit,” according to the league, which denied any misconduct.
Despite the reality that Black athletes comprise 70% of the NFL, Flores told ABC News earlier in the month that the League’s answer was a “slap in the face” since there was just one Black head coach at the time, the Steelers’ Tomlin.
Since Flores’ lawsuit, the Houston Texans appointed Lovie Smith, the league’s 2nd Black coach. Mike McDaniel, the Dolphins’ replacement for Flores, has said that he is biracial.
The NFL announced this week that it has engaged Loretta Lynch, the 1st Black female attorney general in the United States, to assist it in defending itself against the lawsuit.