The Jaguars began their head coaching search by submitting an initial list of eight candidates they wish to interview. Another slip has been issued, adding to the staffers on the team’s radar. 
Jacksonville has requested an interview with Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores, the team announced on Wednesday. This marks the third request to date of the 2025 hiring cycle, as the Bears and Jets have also reached out. Flores is among the candidates on the market with head coaching experience, and his time in Minnesota has likely helped his stock.
Flores was fired by the Dolphins after the 2021 season, and he followed that up with a single campaign as the Steelers’ linebackers coach. The 43-year-old has been in charge of Minnesota’s defense for the past two seasons, and in 2024 the unit ranked fifth in points allowed per game (19.5). Flores made it clear earlier in the year he wants to be a head coach again, and he is prepared to take an interview with every interested team this winter. The list of suitors now sits at three, although the Raiders could soon submit a request of their own.
Jacksonville moved on from an offense-oriented coach in Doug Pederson, but a number of candidates on the team’s radar have a background on that side of the ball. That includes Ben Johnson, with a Wednesday report indicating the Jaguars are preparing an “aggressive pursuit” of the Lions offensive coordinator. Johnson has plenty of suitors, though, and the presence of general manager Trent Baalke could complicate matters.
Baalke, to the surprise of many, was retained in the wake of Pederson’s dismissal. The former 49ers GM has had a lengthy tenure in Duval County, but owner Shad Khan has not confirmed Baalke will remain in his current situation for 2025. Adding an executive vice president to the front office is a possibility, and altering the power structure currently in place may be a condition necessary for certain coaching candidates to accept the position. It will be interesting to see how Flores views the prospect of working with Baalke.
Courtesy of PFR’s tracker, here is an updated look at the Jags’ search process:
- Joe Brady, offensive coordinator (Bills): Interview requested
- Liam Coen, offensive coordinator (Buccaneers): Interview requested
- Brian Flores, defensive coordinator (Vikings): Interview requested
- Aaron Glenn, defensive coordinator (Lions): To interview 1/11
- Patrick Graham, defensive coordinator (Raiders): Interview requested
- Ben Johnson, offensive coordinator (Lions): To interview 1/11
- Kliff Kingsbury, offensive coordinator (Commanders): Rumored candidate
- Todd Monken, offensive coordinator (Ravens): Interview requested
- Kellen Moore, offensive coordinator (Eagles): Interview requested
- Robert Saleh, former head coach (Jets): To interview 1/14
- Mike Vrabel, former head coach (Titans): Mentioned as candidate
lol why prob fulfilling their discrimination requirement
I actually don’t think so. I had that thought but was actually looking up his HC record like 10 min before I saw this. I don’t think it’s a rooney rule interview because we already sent out requests to Salah and Aaron Glenn to fulfill the 2 required. There is 0% chance I can see someone supposedly intense and firm like Flores meshing with baalke. Id say its a low probability he gets the job but as a jags fan I like that he’s included to just test the waters.
Jacksonville spent about $15 million more on defense than Minnesota, with a whole lot more draft investment. The Jaguars gave up 103 more points in a much weaker division. The Jaguars could use his help.
Flores makes sense here.
Smells good to me