When the Dolphins announced their blockbuster trade for Tyreek Hill, the first person I thought of was Brian Flores.
Flores is Miami’s former head coach who was shockingly fired this past January despite cleaning the team up and leading it to two consecutive winning seasons.
After his firing, Flores filed a massive class action lawsuit in federal court accusing the NFL, Dolphins, Giants and Broncos of racial discrimination in their hiring practices.
Prior to his lawsuit, Flores was deemed the “hot candidate” when nine head coaching vacancies opened up at the start of this year.
But one by one, those positions were filled by white coaches and it was obvious that Black coaches, including Brian Flores, would be excluded once again (the Texans eventually hired Lovie Smith a week after Flores filed his lawsuit).
Only Flores didn’t go quietly. Instead, he took a stand for all Black coaches and Black head coaching candidates.
It was a brave position, one that probably obliterated his chances of becoming an NFL head coach again.
Yet this is about much more than just him.
It’s about David Culley, who played the role of clean up man for the Texans and was fired despite doing a good job with what he had.
It’s for others like Anthony Lynn, Jim Caldwell, Todd Bowles, Leslie Frazier and Raheem Morris. Black coaches who proved their worth and talents yet have been unable to receive a second chance at being a head coach (Caldwell is the exception).
Yesterday, the Dolphins strengthened Flores’ claim of racial bias through their blockbuster trade with the Chiefs for Tyreek Hill.
Miami acquired the 6x All-Pro in exchange for a first, second and fourth rounder in 2022, and a fourth and sixth rounder in 2023. After the trade, Miami signed Hill to a four-year, $120 million deal, of which $72.2 million is guaranteed. That makes Hill the highest-paid receiver in league history ($30 million annually), leapfrogging him over Davante Adams ($28.25 million annually).
When you add Hill to the signings the Dolphins made over the last two weeks, you understand why Super Bowl chatter among Miami fans erupted immediately.
But in all reality, these moves are a stinging slap in Brian Flores’ face for this should have been his new team, the team he deserved and earned the right to coach.
Instead, as is the norm in the NFL, a Black coach is fired after the hardest work is done and a white coach is hired to take the reins of a much-improved team.
This is what happened with Flores.
He was the first Dolphins coach since Dave Wannstedt to have two winning seasons and he did it with a quarterback carousel of Ryan Fitzpatrick, Tua Tagovailoa and Jacoby Brissett.
Last year, the team drafted a star in rookie Jaylen Waddle. When paired with Hill, they will form (arguably) the fastest receiver tandem in the league.
This is the team Flores deserved.
Instead, new head coach Mike McDaniel received the opportunity Flores earned.
The same thing happened to Anthony Lynn with the Chargers.
Lynn had a winning record (33-31) with San Diego/LA. In 2020, his final season with the team, he fought through a slew of injuries and bad breaks, finishin 7-9.
Yet right when he got a franchise quarterback in Justin Herbert and the team returned to health, the Chargers fired him in favor of Brandon Staley.
A year later, Staley is suddenly receiving the support Lynn deserved.
They traded for Khalil Mack, re-signed Mike Williams, signed free agent cornerback J.C. Jackson and added a few defensive linemen to strengthen the team’s position in the suddenly extremely tough AFC West.
Once again, a Black coach fought through adversity to put the team on the right track, only for him to be fired so someone else could reap the benefits of his hard work.
This is exactly why the Dolphins’ roster moves and blockbuster trade for Tyreek Hill are so frustrating.
Brian Flores proved his worth and deserved this new, highly improved team. Miami owed him the chance because he was a good coach and a proven coach.
Yet once again, a Black coach suffers so the team can fly, but with a different captain in charge.
Brian Flores was right to file his lawsuit, and Miami’s off-season moves have only bolstered his claims.
Flores deserves better. He deserves another chance.
Even more so, he deserves this Miami Dolphins team.
