Sports

AP source: Pats' Flores is finalist in Miami coach search

11 of January 2019

FILE - In this June 5, 2017, file photo, Miami Dolphins associate head coach/special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi gestures as he speaks after an NFL football practice, in Davie, Fla. Rizzi is the fifth candidate to interview for their head coaching job. Rizzi joined the Miami staff in 2009 and has won the endorsement of such current and former Dolphins as Jason Taylor, Brian Hartline, Kiko Alonso and Kenyan Drake. He has been special teams coordinator since 2011 and has also been associate head coach since 2017. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee, File),FILE - In this June 5, 2017, file photo, Miami Dolphins associate head coach/special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi gestures as he speaks after an NFL football practice, in Davie, Fla. Rizzi is the fifth candidate to interview for their head coaching job. Rizzi joined the Miami staff in 2009 and has won the endorsement of such current and former Dolphins as Jason Taylor, Brian Hartline, Kiko Alonso and Kenyan Drake. He has been special teams coordinator since 2011 and has also been associate head coach since 2017. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee, File)

MIAMI (AP) — A person familiar with the decision says New England Patriots linebackers coach Brian Flores is a finalist in the Miami Dolphins’ coaching search, and they’re expected to offer him the job when his team’s postseason ends.

The person confirmed the decision to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Friday because the Dolphins weren’t commenting publicly about the status of the search.

If they fail to reach a deal with Flores, they haven’t ruled out Dallas Cowboys secondary coach Kris Richard.

Flores has been a Patriots assistant for 11 seasons and took over defensive play calling a year ago after the departure of defensive coordinator Matt Patricia. In Miami he would replace Adam Gase, who was fired after three seasons and hired Wednesday as coach of the New York Jets.

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