DAVIE, Fla. — Hours after his team won the Super Bowl, New England Patriots linebackers coach Brian Flores was hired Monday as head coach of the Miami Dolphins.
Flores helped the Patriots shut down the high-scoring Los Angeles Rams for a 13-3 victory in the title game Sunday night in Atlanta, and then flew to Miami to seal his deal with the Dolphins.
“It has been a whirlwind 24 hours,” Flores said with a smile at a news conference that drew two dozen cameras.
“Looking at this crowd here, you’d think we won the Super Bowl,” Miami owner Stephen Ross said. “To me, you start an organization by signing a great leader. I believe we’ve found that leader.”
Flores was the first person the Dolphins interviewed after they fired coach Adam Gase on Dec. 31. They decided on Jan. 11 to offer the job to Flores, the Patriots’ defensive play-caller, but had to wait until New England’s season ended to complete a deal.
“I wasn’t in a rush to become a head coach,” said Flores, 37. “I had a good job in New England. I’m thankful I’m part of this organization now. We’re going to do everything possible to build a winner here.”
Flores, the son of Honduran immigrants, grew up in Brooklyn and has spent his entire coaching career with the Patriots. He joined them in 2004 and became their de facto defensive coordinator a year ago after Matt Patricia left to join the Lions as their head coach.
CINCINNATI — The Bengals hired Zac Taylor as their coach, heading in different direction after failing to get a playoff win during Marvin Lewis’ 16 seasons.
They targeted the Rams quarterbacks coach as Lewis’ replacement, but weren’t able to close a deal until LA’s season ended on Sunday night.
After three straight losing seasons and 28 years without a playoff victory, Cincinnati decided to join the wave — turning to a young, offensive-minded coach.