Pittsburgh Steelers

Steelers President Art Rooney II on why team hired former Dolphins coach Brian Flores

PITTSBURGH — When the Steelers hired former Miami Dolphins Head Coach Brian Flores as their senior defensive assistant/linebackers coach, there was a whole lot of conversation and eyes opened, both in Pittsburgh and across the league.

In a 1-on-1 sit down interview with Steelers President Art Rooney II, WPXI’s Jenna Harner asked why it was so important to bring a guy like Flores into the Steelers organization.

“Coach Tomlin was actually looking, we had a opening on the staff,” said Rooney.

“He was talking to some candidates, even before Coach Flores became available. Once Coach Flores became available, he and Coach started talking, and it got to the point where they were comfortable about it. So Coach and I talked about it. The bottom line is, we were excited to add a quality coach to the staff and somebody who we think can really help us improve the defense and get to where we want to be.”

Flores is known for his defensive play calling abilities, along with shaping and helping mold young defensive players in the NFL. The former head coach of the Dolphins has more than 14 years of NFL coaching experience. How he’ll fit in with the Steelers is a bit unusual, according to Rooney II.

“He’s coming in as a former head coach, and has that kind of background and knowledge which I think can be helpful to Coach Tomlin,” said Rooney.

“He’s going to be part of our defensive staff. Look over the years, you know, when we’ve had people like Dick LeBeau, come in, who was a high profile coach and was able to help make a difference. Coach Flores, will be given an opportunity to help have an impact on this defense and, and we’re excited to have him.”

Flores is currently in the midst of a lawsuit against the NFL and three teams: the Giants, the Broncos and the Dolphins, alleging discrimination. Flores is alleging racism when it comes to hiring practices among the Giants and the Broncos, as well as his firing by Miami.

The hiring of Flores in the midst of the lawsuit attracted attention and made headlines for numerous reasons. After all, Art Rooney’s father, the late Ambassador Dan Rooney, is the man behind the “Rooney Rule,” a policy that requires NFL teams to interview minority candidates for head coaching and senior executive positions.

“I can’t comment directly on the lawsuit,” Rooney said.

“That’s something that Coach and his, his attorneys will handle outside of this building. We always just take the position that we want to try to get the best person for the job, irrespective of race or color or anything else. So we were just fortunate really, that Coach Flores was, was free and able to come here.”