Jets interview Brian Flores for head-coaching position

Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores. Credit: AP/Bruce Kluckhohn

By Al Iannazzoneal.iannazzone@newsday.com Al_IannazzoneUpdated January 17, 2025 7:47 pm

Brian Flores interviewed for the Jets’ head-coaching position on Friday and could be a strong candidate for the job.

The former Dolphins head coach has more than 20 years of NFL experience. He has been Minnesota’s defensive coordinator since 2023 and employs a blitz-heavy scheme.

The Vikings finished fifth in points allowed, tied for first in takeaways and fourth in sacks this season under Flores, a Brooklyn native.

The Jets are winding down their second week of interviewing coaching candidates. They also met with Vikings quarterbacks coach Josh McCown, their former quarterback, and Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley on Friday.

The Jets have spoken with 15 known candidates and could speak with at least two more before they begin bringing in their finalists for in-person interviews next week.

They’ve requested interviews with but have yet to talk with Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady and Commanders defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. Their teams have playoff games this weekend.

The Jets also have spoken with 15 people for their general manager opening. They soon will start a second round of interviews with their top choices.

One potential target came off the market on Friday. The Titans hired former Kansas City assistant general manager Mike Borgonzi as their GM.

There has been speculation that the Jets could pick a GM and coach from the same team to take advantage of synergy and an already established working relationship. A tandem of Lions executive Chris Spielman and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn or Vikings executive Ryan Grigson and Flores has been rumored.

Glenn, a former Jets cornerback and proven leader, is a popular head-coaching choice among fans. He also is in contention for the Saints’ job.

Flores, who is drawing interest from the Jaguars and the Bears, would come with baggage. His firing in Miami wasn’t necessarily performance-based. Flores went 24-25 and had a winning record his last two seasons but reportedly clashed with members of the front office and some players and coaches.

The Dolphins had four offensive coordinators and two defensive coordinators in Flores’ three seasons.

Flores interviewed with multiple teams after his dismissal. In 2022, he filed a class-action suit against the NFL and the Giants, Broncos and Dolphins for racial discrimination in the hiring process. The suit also alleged that Dolphins owner Stephen Ross pressured Flores to deliberately lose games and offered him $100,000 for each loss.

Flores worked on Mike Tomlin’s staff in Pittsburgh in 2022 as a linebackers coach and senior defensive assistant. Flores started out as a Patriots scouting assistant in 2004. He spent 15 seasons with New England in various roles and was a part of four Super Bowl-winning teams.

McCown completed his first season with Minnesota, where he worked with former Jets quarterback Sam Darnold.

The two were teammates previously. McCown, who played for the Jets in 2017 and 2018, helped mentor Darnold after the Jets drafted him in 2018. Darnold had his best season with the Vikings. He finished fifth in the NFL in touchdown passes (35) and passing yards (4,319).

McCown was the Panthers' quarterbacks coach last year. He helped develop No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young.

McCown is considered a future NFL head coach but has no experience. He could be someone the Jets and other teams are interested in as an offensive coordinator.

Hafley, a New Jersey native, has been coaching for 24 years in college and the NFL. In his first season with the Packers, his defense helped Green Bay earn a playoff berth. The Packers ranked fifth in total defense and sixth in points allowed.

Before Green Bay, Hafley went 22-26 as Boston College’s head coach for four years. His first NFL job was as Tampa Bay’s assistant defensive backs coach in 2012. Hafley also was a defensive backs coach for the Browns and 49ers.

The Jets also have interviewed Ron Rivera, Mike Vrabel, Rex Ryan, Matt Nagy, Mike Locksley, Steve Spagnuolo, Darren Rizzi, Jeff Ulbrich, Vance Joseph, Arthur Smith and Bobby Slowik. Vrabel was hired by the Patriots.