Former Pittsburgh Steelers player Ike Taylor spoke out in support of Coach Brian Flores during his most recent podcast. Taylor hosts the show, Bleav In Steelers, with Mark Bergin and the unique situation with Flores was a hot topic of discussion.
Mark Bergin and Ike Taylor / Photo Credit: Bleav In Steelers Podcast
Flores has been coaching in the NFL since 2008, starting with the New England Patriots. A brilliant defensive mind, he ascended quickly and was named the head coach of the Miami Dolphins in 2019. Despite drastically improving the Dolphins, they did not make the playoffs, and Flores was fired in 2021.
The Steelers snatched up Flores as quickly as they could to help out their declining defense. His official title is senior defensive assistant and linebackers coach but it only takes a little looking to find out that his influence goes far beyond the defense.
Steelers Tomlin Threw Flores A Lifeline
According to Taylor, Tomlin threw Flores a lifeline when he offered him the job. However, no one should be confused that this was merely doing Flores a favor. Tomlin would have been crazy to pass up an opportunity to have someone with his knowledge on the team.
Now the Steelers have a future Hall of Fame coach in Tomlin and another former head coach on the staff in Flores. Taylor feels there is so much value in having someone with his expertise. It takes a lot of pressure off your defensive coordinator and Tomlin. Players on both offense and defense have been speaking out about the "Flores difference," including defensive end Chris Wormley.
"If you see what he did, being 32nd in run defense before he came into being top 10 in run defense. He had a big part to play in that. I think teams would love to have a guy like that."
Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett also had praise for Flores. He said that he frequently went to Flores to pick his brain about how defenses operate. This was especially true for two-minute drills and what to do in those late-game situations to win. Taylor applauded Flores for working with Pickett and said that it just shows his depth of knowledge. Pickett could have pointed to any offensive coach but instead, you have a rookie quarterback talking about a defensive staff member and citing how they helped turn your season around. The hiring of Flores also spotlighted what a special coach Tomlin is.
"Coach T is always we, not me," Taylor said.
Taylor related the story of when he asked Tomlin about the hire and why he did it.
"Why wouldn't I? My pride is all the way at home, I didn't even bring it to the front door. To be able to have a former head coach here that can actually help? Why not," Taylor recalled Tomlin asking.
There are a lot of insecure coaches in the NFL, says Taylor, and not all of them would be ok with this. They would feel that their toes are being stepped on. But Tomlin is secure enough to let his coaches do their job so he can do his. Just because they are both defensive coaches didn't mean that Tomlin felt anything was being taken away from him.
"Coach T is like, 'whatever I'm Coach T, I can hire whoever I wanna hire.'"
Photo Credit: Pittsburgh Post Gazette
Taylor had some final thoughts to end the discussion.
"It just says a lot about Coach T, his unselfishness as a coach, as a person and as a businessman."
Taylor and Bergin echoed the sentiments of a lot of Steeler Nation, they expressed their hope that Flores is offered the head coaching job he deserves but selfishly they both hope he stays with the Steelers for at least another year.
What did you think of the Flores hire? Do you think the Steelers should retain him for another year if he doesn't get a head coaching job? Do you believe he has had an impact on the defense and/or the whole team? Comment below.
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