Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores is set to be one of the 27 participants in the NFL’s upcoming accelerator program. The event is aimed at increasing the pipeline of diverse candidates for front office and coaching positions within the league. This program will take place during the league meetings in Nashville, Tennessee, next week.
Flores, who previously served as a long-time assistant with the New England Patriots before becoming the head coach of the Miami Dolphins from 2019 to 2021, made headlines in 2022 when he filed a lawsuit against the NFL and multiple teams for alleged racial discrimination in their hiring practices. Following his stint with the Dolphins, Flores spent a season as a senior defensive assistant and linebackers coach with the Pittsburgh Steelers before landing his current role as the defensive coordinator for the Minnesota Vikings in 2023.
Last July, a federal judge ruled that Flores could proceed to trial with his claims against the NFL and three specific teams: the Denver Broncos, New York Giants, and Houston Texans. A ruling in March of the previous year instructed Flores to pursue his claims against the Dolphins through arbitration. Although he was not an official participant in the program at last year’s spring meetings, Flores did attend the event in Minneapolis and interacted with several participants.
The NFL’s Coach Accelerator program was initiated in 2022 and has since been followed by the Front Office Accelerator program, which took place at the league meetings in Dallas. This year’s upcoming event will introduce college coaches for the first time, further diversifying the talent pool. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell emphasized the importance of developing diverse coaching talent through these programs, calling it a key priority for the league.
One of the success stories credited to the accelerator program is the hiring of Ran Carthon as the Tennessee Titans’ general manager last year. Carthon transitioned from his role as the San Francisco 49ers’ director of player personnel, showcasing the program’s ability to identify and promote qualified candidates. While none of the participants from the 2023 coaching accelerator program secured head coaching roles in the recent hiring cycle, many did accept new coordinator positions.
Notable participants in the 2024 accelerator program include former Texans offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton, Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka, Seahawks quarterbacks coach Charles London, and Detroit Lions running backs coach Scottie Montgomery. These individuals, along with Brian Flores, represent the talent and diversity that the NFL aims to cultivate through its accelerator initiatives.
The NFL’s accelerator programs continue to play a crucial role in promoting diversity and providing opportunities for underrepresented groups within the league. Brian Flores’ participation in the upcoming event further underscores the importance of creating a more inclusive and equitable environment for all aspiring coaches and front office personnel in the NFL.
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