Brian Flores

Brian Flores was named the 13th head coach in Miami Dolphins history on February 4, 2019.

Flores joined the Dolphins after spending 15 seasons with the New England Patriots organization, where he served in a variety of different roles and helped the franchise win four Super Bowls – XXXIX, XLIX, LI and LIII – and seven AFC championships. He brings a wealth of leadership and experience to Miami, having coached all three phases of the game – offense, defense and special teams – and beginning his professional career as a scout.

Flores has spent the past eight seasons coaching defense and was New England's defensive play-caller and linebackers coach in 2018. In his lone season calling the defensive plays, the Patriots won Super Bowl LIII and limited the second-highest scoring offense in the NFL (L.A. Rams) to just 3 points in the game, tying a Super Bowl record.

The Patriots defense saw improvement in many categories under Flores' leadership in 2018. New England improved from 17th in the NFL to seventh in passer rating, allowing opposing passers to compile an 85.4 rating. Much of that was attributed to creating more turnovers, as the Patriots were tied for fifth in the NFL with 28 takeaways and tied for third with 18 interceptions They ranked 25th and tied for 18th, respectively, in those categories in 2017.

In 2018, the Patriots were seventh in the NFL in points allowed, surrendering just 20.3 points per game. The run defense and pass defense both improved from the previous season. In rush defense, New England improved from 20th to 11th in the NFL by allowing 112.7 rushing yards per game. The Patriots went from allowing the 30th most net passing yards in 2017 to 22nd (246.4 yards per game) in 2018.

With Flores calling the defense, cornerback Stephon Gilmore earned first-team All-Pro honors for the first time in his career and a Pro Bowl selection. Gilmore was second in the NFL with 20 passes defensed and was the highest-graded cornerback in the NFL according to Pro Football Focus.

Flores coached New England's linebackers in 2017, helping the team to a 13-3 record, No. 1 seed in the AFC playoffs and an appearance in Super Bowl LII. The defense was fifth in the NFL in points allowed (18.5 per game) and fourth in red zone efficiency (43.8). He helped develop linebacker Kyle Van Noy, who posted 5.5 sacks – the most in his career – despite playing in just 13 games in his first full season with New England.

Flores moved to linebackers coach in 2016 and the move immediately paid dividends, as the Patriots went 14-2 in the regular season and won Super Bowl LI. The New England defense led the NFL by allowing just 15.6 points per game and was eighth in total defense, allowing 326.4 net yards per game.

In Flores' first season as his position coach, linebacker Dont'a Hightower earned the first Pro Bowl selection of his career and was named second-team All-Pro. The Patriots' defensive success was aided by the contributions of linebacker Elandon Roberts, who was a rookie sixth-round pick that Flores developed quickly enough to start in five games, including two playoff contests.

Flores was promoted to safeties coach in 2012 and served in that role from 2012-15. During those four seasons, the Patriots went 48-16, winning the AFC East all four seasons and Super Bowl XLIX. In that span, New England was sixth in the NFL in scoring defense, allowing 20.3 points per game.

In 2015, his two starting safeties were among the team's five leading tacklers. Safety Patrick Chung was second on the team with 82 tackles (49 solo) while safety Devin McCourty was fifth with 62 tackles (49 solo).

Playing in a reserve role, safety Duron Harmon was second on the team with three interceptions. The Patriots finished ninth in total defense (339.4) and 10th in scoring defense (19.7).

The 2014 Patriots went 12-4 and won Super Bowl XLIX. Chung and McCourty again were among the team's leading tacklers, with Chung ranking third with 84 stops (54 solo) and McCourty ranking fourth with 67 tackles (50 solo). McCourty also tied for the team lead with two interceptions. New England finished eighth in the NFL in points allowed (19.6), eighth in opponent completion percentage (59.6) and 10th in opponent passer rating (84.0).

In 2013, Flores helped McCourty earn second-team All-Pro honors for the second time in his career after he totaled 67 tackles (47 solo). Harmon picked off two passes as a rookie, combining with rookie teammate Logan Ryan for seven interceptions, the most by rookie teammates in the NFL. Opposing passers completed just 57.0 percent of passes against New England, the fourth-best mark in the league, and their 81.0 passer rating ranked ninth.

In Flores' first season as safeties coach in 2012, McCourty had one of the best seasons of his career. He finished third on the team with 79 tackles (60 solo) and led the Patriots with five interceptions. Rookie second-round pick Tavon Wilson only started four games but was second on the team with four interceptions. McCourty's five picks were tied for third among NFL safeties while Wilson's four were tied for fifth. In total, New England safeties intercepted 14 passes, more than 14 NFL teams. The Patriots were tied for fifth in the NFL with 20 interceptions.

Flores spent the 2011 season as a defensive assistant. In his first season working with the defensive side of the ball, the Patriots went 13-3 and won the AFC. New England was tied for third in the NFL with 34 takeaways. Its 23 interceptions were tied for second in the league.

In 2010, Flores served as an offensive assistant and also worked with special teams. The Patriots went 14-2 and earned the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoffs. The New England offense led the league in scoring with 32.4 points per game. The unit was fourth with a 5.9 yards per play average and led the NFL with a 109.8 passer rating and a league-low five interceptions. The Patriots' kickoff return unit was among the league's best, ranking fifth with an average starting field position of the 30.0-yard line after kickoffs. The punt return unit was second in the NFL with opponents averaging just 34.2 net yards per punt.

Flores began his coaching career as a coaching assistant for New England from 2008-09. The Patriots went 21-11 (.656).

After finishing his playing career at Boston College (1999-2003), Flores joined the Patriots as a scouting assistant in 2004 and was promoted to pro scout in 2006. Flores was a two-year starter at linebacker for Boston College and was part of four bowl-winning teams. He was named to the Big East All-Academic Team in 2003.

A native of Brooklyn, New York, Flores attended Poly Prep in Brooklyn, where he played running back and linebacker. He graduated from Boston College with his bachelor's degree in English and a master's degree in administrative studies.

Flores and his wife, Jennifer, were married in 2009. They have two sons, Miles and Maxwell, and a daughter, Liliana.