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Brian Flores being happy that Lovie Smith is getting another chance at a head coaching opportunity with the Texans didn’t stop the former Dolphins coach from slamming Houston’s decision.
Flores was reportedly a finalist for Texans job despite filing a class action lawsuit against the NFL and its 32 teams alleging discriminatory hiring practice. On Monday, Flores’ lawyers released a statement regarding Smith’s hire.
“Mr. Flores is happy to hear that the Texans have hired a Black head coach, Lovie Smith, as Mr. Flores’ goal in bringing his case is to provide real opportunities for Black and minority candidates to be considered for coaching and executive positions within the NFL,” the statement said. “However, we would be remiss not to mention that Mr. Flores was one of three finalists for the Texans’ head coach position and, after a great interview and mutual interest it is obvious that the only reason Mr. Flores was not selected was his decision to stand up against racial inequality across the NFL.”
Smith, the former Bears coach who is black, was named the Texans head man on Monday after one year as the club’s offensive coordinator. The Steelers’ Mike Tomlin was the league’s only black head coach left this offseason after Flores and Houston’s David Culley were fired — until Smith and the 49ers’ Mike McDaniel, who is multiracial, were hired the past two days.
The offseason began with eight head-coaching vacancies in the NFL; after the hiring of Smith and the Saints’ promotion of defensive coordinator Dennis Allen, all have been filled.
Flores, who was fired by the Dolphins after going 24-25 in three playoff-less seasons, was believed to be among the three known finalists to be Houston’s coach along with former NFL quarterback Josh McCown and Eagles defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon. That was until the Texans reportedly began discussions with Smith, who also coached the Buccaneers, late Sunday
The 40-year-old Flores has ties Texans GM Nick Caserio during their time together with the Patriots and was believed to be a proponent of the Dolphins wanting to trade for Houston quarterback Deshaun Watson, who missed all of 2021 and could be disciplined by the NFL after his sexual assault cases — brought by more than 20 women — are resolved.
The Poly Prep alum as was also in the running for the Giants job, which went to former Bills offensive coordinator Brian Daboll. Flores’ lawsuit claims his interview with Big Blue was a “sham” as he believes they had already decided on Daboll before speaking with him.
Flores’ suit also claimed Miami owner Stephen Ross attempted to incentivize tanking and tampered with a free-agent quarterback, believed to be Tom Brady.
Both the Giants and Dolphins have vehemently denied Flores’ accusations.
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