Former Miami Dolphins coach Brian Flores joins Pittsburgh Steelers as defensive assistant/LB coach

PITTSBURGH — Former Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores has a new home. The Pittsburgh Steelers announced the hire of Flores as a defensive assistant and linebackers coach on Saturday.

«I am excited about Brian Flores joining our coaching staff given his history of developing and teaching defensive players during his time in the NFL,» Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said in a release. «Brian's resume speaks for itself, and I look forward to him adding his expertise to help our team.»

Flores' hire significantly boosts a defensive unit that recently promoted Teryl Austin to defensive coordinator following the retirement of Keith Butler, who also coached the team's outside linebackers.

Flores most recently spent the last three seasons as Miami's head coach, compiling a 24-25 record before he was fired last month. And prior to that, he was the defensive play caller for the New England Patriots, including in Super Bowl LIII.

Flores, 40, filed a lawsuit against the NFL and three teams — the Giants, Dolphins and Broncos — earlier this month, allegeding discrimination in the interview process with the Giants and Broncos and in his firing by the Dolphins.

In the lawsuit, Flores alleged, among other things, that Miami owner Stephen Ross offered him $100,000 for every loss in 2019 in an effort to tank for a draft pick.

Flores also alleged the Giants only interviewed him for their head coaching vacancy in January to comply with the Rooney Rule, and he said a similar scenario played out in 2019 during an interview process with the Broncos.