Tim Daniels@@TimDanielsBRFeatured Columnist IVJanuary 28, 2022Michael Reaves/Getty Images
The New Orleans Saints are reportedlyhoping to interview former Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Floresabout their head coaching vacancy following the departure of SeanPayton.
ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Fridayit's unclear whether the Saints will get that chance with Floresamong the final candidates to fill the New York Giants' opening:
Adam Schefter @AdamSchefter
Saints plan to interview former Dolphins’ HC Brian Flores, who is a finalist for the NY Giants HC job, per source.
First things first, though; a decision from the NY Giants on their head coach is expected this weekend, and Flores is one of their finalists.
Payton stepped aside Tuesday after 15years leading the New Orleans staff. The 58-year-old Californianative said it's not a formal retirement but rather a chance toexplore other avenues while keeping the door open to coach again inthe future.
"I don't know what's next—andit kind of feels good," he told reporters. "But, man, Ifelt like it was time. ... But not with any regret. There's someexcitement, like, 'All right, what's next?'"
He leaves a significant void aftercompiling a 152-89 regular-season record with the Saints. His teamsalso went 9-8 in the playoffs, highlighted by winning the Super BowlXLIV title.
Meanwhile, Flores was the mostsurprising head coach firing of the current cycle.
Even though heposted a 24-25 record and didn't reach the playoffs across three years, he was comingoff back-to-back winning seasons and generally seemed to have theDolphins moving in a positive direction.
So it's no surprise he's becomea popular candidate elsewhere. SNY's Ralph Vacchiano reportedThursday the Giants' search has come down to Flores and Buffalo Billsoffensive coordinator Brian Daboll, with Bills defensive coordinatorLeslie Frazier as a sleeper.
It sounds like if New York opts for oneof the Buffalo assistants, the Saints are prepared to swoop in to makeFlores a key part of their search.
The 40-year-old New York City nativewon four Super Bowl titles across 15 years in the New EnglandPatriots organization (2004-2018), first in the scouting departmentthen as an assistant coach.
More recently, he finished third in theAssociated Press' Coach of the Year voting in 2020 after guiding theDolphins to a 10-6 record.
Flores is a strong bet to land anotherhead coaching job before next season gets underway.
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