Opportunity comes at unexpected times and the Pittsburgh Steelers‘ Brian Flores can attest to that reality.
The new senior defensive assistant and linebackers coach for the AFC North squad revealed to Bryant Gumbel how he landed the role.
ESPN NFL Nation reporter Brooke Pryor tweeted a glimpse of the conversation.
Brian Flores told Bryant Gumbel he called Tomlin for advice last week and it turned into a job:
"I was thinkin' about, the next steps for me just from a coaching standpoint. And then that conversation turned into an opportunity there in Pittsburgh."
— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) February 22, 2022
Flores told Gumbel that he called Tomlin with the intention of getting advice regarding his career.
Instead, the longtime Steelers head coach offered him the role.
Flores added, “I was thinkin’ about the next steps for me from a coaching standpoint. And then that conversation turned into an opportunity there in Pittsburgh.”
Once In A Lifetime Opportunity
While Flores only wanted to fight for what is right, suing the league should have huge consequences on his career.
Whether he wins the lawsuit or not, there’s a possibility that he won’t be a head coach in the NFL any time soon.
In a way, the Steelers saved his career and gave him a role that he’s overqualified for.
Better having that role than nothing, especially now that he’s a part of the franchise that initiated the Rooney Rule.
Tomlin recognized Flores’ talent and didn’t want it to go down the drain.
That’s the philosophy that has helped the Steelers become one of the NFL’s winningest franchises and Tomlin won’t deviate from the script.
Now, it’s like Pittsburgh has two head coaches on their staff and Flores’ credentials are no pushover.
Leading a 1-7 team to the brink of the playoffs is a remarkable achievement in itself.
With a coaching mind like his, imagine how much more Pittsburgh’s linebackers Devin Bush, Joe Schobert, and reigning Defensive Player of the Year T.J. Watt will improve.
It’s possible that the Steelers will win games through defense alone.
NEXT: Brian Flores Remains Ready To Take On The NFL