The Pittsburgh Steelers hired Brian Flores as a senior defensive assistant/linebackers coach, the team announced Saturday.
“I am excited about Brian Flores joining our coaching staff given his history of developing and teaching defensive players during his time in the NFL,” Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said in a statement. “Brian’s resume speaks for itself, and I look forward to him adding his expertise to help our team.”
His hiring made many wonder about his lawsuit against the NFL and three teams earlier this month alleging racial discrimination in his interviews and hiring processes and claiming Dolphins team owner Stephen Ross tried to pay him to lose games.
His attorney made it very clear in a since released statement.
“While Coach Flores is now focused on his new position, he will continue with his race discrimination class action so that real change can be made in the NFL,” Flores’ attorney said.
Flores’ suit contends the league has discriminated against Black coaches for head roles, and cited an experience where he said he was offered an interview for a head coach spot with the New York Giants.
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The league has denied any wrongdoing and said in a statement that Flores’ claims were “without merit.”
The Houston Texans hired Lovie Smith, the league’s second Black coach, since Flores’ filing. Mike McDaniel, who was hired by the Dolphins to replace Flores, has said he is biracial.
Flores was fired by the Miami Dolphins at the end of the 2021 season after the team missed the playoffs. He was the coach for the Dolphins for three seasons before joining the Steelers.
The NFL said this week it hired former U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch, the first Black female attorney general, to help defend itself in the suit.
