In EAGAN, Minn., Minnesota Vikings’ defensive coordinator Brian Flores faced criticism from former player Tua Tagovailoa regarding his coaching style. Despite feeling hurt by Tagovailoa’s public remarks, Flores chose the high road during a press conference at Vikings headquarters, expressing his happiness for Tagovailoa’s success and wishing him well. Flores emphasized the importance of player relationships in coaching, citing his own positive experiences with coaches in his youth as his motivation for making a similar impact on others.
Tagovailoa, now with the Miami Dolphins, spoke candidly about his time under Flores’ leadership, noting that he struggled with his self-esteem due to the coach’s approach. Flores, who previously coached the Dolphins for three seasons, acknowledged that Tagovailoa’s comments had affected him negatively but expressed a desire to learn from the situation and strive for improvement in his coaching methods.
Flores, a former assistant coach with the New England Patriots under Bill Belichick, has since joined the Vikings and has made a significant impact in his first year leading their defense. While Flores and Tagovailoa may not face each other on the field until 2026, Flores mentioned the possibility of reaching out to the quarterback to address the situation between them.
Two Vikings players, Josh Metellus and Harrison Phillips, stood by Flores during his press conference as a sign of support. Flores reflected on his coaching tenure, acknowledging areas where he could improve and emphasizing his commitment to fostering positive relationships with players, coaches, and staff members. Despite the challenges, Flores remains focused on his current team and continuous personal growth.
