I think I've grown in a lot of ways. UM. You know, I think of um, just in game, you know, I want to take a time, I went not to take a time, I wouldn't to throw the red flag. Uh, the adjustments that need to be made, um. But just as a leader, I think, UM. You know, Look, this is a one thing that's important to me is that my relationship with the players. UM. You know, I think respect is a big thing for me. UM. You know, I want our players to know that I'm I'm fair,
that I'm respectful, UM, and I'm demanding UM. And I think that, you know, I think I think we all need that UM in in all areas. So I tried to grow in and you know, as a leader, um, you know, not only for the players, but for everyone in this organization. I think you do that, you know by example. UM. And at the end of the day, to me, leadership is about service. So I continue to try to serve you know, the players, the coach is a support staff and help them grow anywhere. I can't
what you're all looking down? Miami? What is up? Dolph fans and welcome to the Drive Time Podcast, part of the Miami Dolphins podcast network. Covering your team, your Miami Dolphins. How's it going everybody? I am your host, Travis Winfield And if you couldn't tell off the top, we have a very very special edition of the Drivetime Podcast heading your way. I don't want to get into any more
time wasters. We're gonna have head coach Brian Flores on the podcast talking about the draft, roster building, his favorite part of coaching the Miami Dolphins, and going through a draft, a season, offseason, through a pandemic. All of that and much much more on the special edition of the Drive Time Podcast. Let's go ahead and turn this thing over right away to my interview with Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores. I'm thrilled to welcome into Drive Time for
the first time Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores. Coach, thank you so much for joining us today. Thank you for having me and coach as we sit here today. You know NFL Draft is just seven days away. I know there's nothing better about the job that you love than putting on the whistle and coaching football. But how exciting is it to know that we are only a week away from this recording from the draft and adding
some new faces to this team. I mean, obviously it's a it's a very exciting time, um, an opportunity to to continue to build this team. As you mentioned, I do love putting the whistle on and coaching, coaching these guys up on the field. UM. But you know I did. I did start my career in the personnel department. So UM, there's an excitement as well, um finding players and building the roster that way through the draft. So UM, definitely
an exciting time. We are, um, you know, kind of in the latter stages of of our process here, just as far as um, the draft process goes. But yeah, definitely exciting time. And you mentioned the draft. You know, this is one of the more unique drafts and one of the more unique years and really periods in league history. What's this pre draft process been like for you and your staff and Chris's staff this year with the limitations you've had as a result of COVID nineteen, well, I mean,
Chris and his staff they've done an incredible job. Really, I would say the last two years with all that uh um lobs of COVID and the pandemic and um, and everyone's had to adjust and be flexible and they've
done a great job. Um, you know we've had to you know, we've had restrictions from from our area, scott But they've done a really nice job, you know, finding ways you know, through Zoom, through conversations with with coaches, with trainers, gathering information on on you know, the prospects, and um, watching the film and going to protays. I
think they've they've done a phenomenal job. And um, you know, we we we feel like we're ready to We have the information and the information to to to select the right players. And one of the main changes in this year's draft is going from having those top thirty visits to doing everything virtually. How does this process, you know, largely virtual, differ from in the past when you can have guys in the building and kind of get to know him face to face a little better like that. Yeah,
I mean we've got to do everything through Zoom. Um, I'd love to look a guy, you know, right in the eyes and get to know them and uh, you know, I'm a big body language guy. So um, that part of it we haven't been able to you know, obviously because of Zoom, we haven't been able to do that, but UM, I think we we've adjusted. I mean, I think that's what these last you know, twelve months have been about, UM, making adjustments from our scouting process to
our coaching process. UM. You know, thankfully we've got an opportunity to see these guys in person at the Senior Bowl. UH. And uh you know that was you know, I think advantage advantageous for US. UM again, just you know, credit to our scouting department. I mean, they've they've really kind of gone above and beyond UM given the circumstances. And UM, I think you know, no one has done more zooms and those guys and our coaching staff is uh, you know,
it's days and days full of zoom calls. UM, but it's important and uh, you know, hopefully we'll make the Uh. We're bringing guys that that you know, fit our culture,
fit our system, and we're excited about that. And coach you mentioned earlier coming up in the you know, in the league as a in person the personnel side of things here, and obviously you've had your hand in every pot with the football side of things here, but you also do a great ub coach in my opinion, of empowering your coaches, and I wanted to ask you what level of involvement do the coaches have in this pre draft process and why is it important to you that
they are involved? UM? I mean I think that the more opinions that you have, UM, the better. Honestly, UM, I don't have all the answers. I'm looking. You know, we have a lot of very intelligent, smart people in this building. UM. I want to hear their thoughts. I want to hear uh their process and you know, maybe they've got a better idea or a better thought than
than I do, and vice versus. So you know, I try to empower those, you know, the guys in every department, and I think everyone, um, from our strength staff to know Dave Blocan, our strengths that have to Kyle Johnson with our medical staff to joke me and now equipment. I think all these guys and they do a really nice job and their roles and I'm looking for their their their input um on these really in their roles, but specific to the coaches, I'm looking for their input,
you know, on the players. I don't think you know, I was a position coach and I don't think anyone knows the player you know better than the position coach UM, so Um, you know, as we gather different information, I think their opinions along with the opinions of the scouts who are on the road and have seen more players. UM, myself, Chris, Marvin Allen, I think you know you put all those together, you have good dialogue and come up with a good decision.
Head coach Brian Flores here on the Drivetime podcast and coach you know, from draft through draft as it's scheduled right now, the Dolphins have made or will make eight picks in the first round. Was that a goal upon your arrival here in Miami to accumulate early draft capital? And how has that helped you put together the team you guys have right now. I wouldn't say the goals necessarily to accumulate first round picks. I think it's to put the best team together. And I think there's a
variety of ways you can do that. Trade, free agency, we have a wired transactions obviously, the draft, UM, and I think you know, Chris, Chris has done a christ and his staff have done a great job of kind of using all those different avenues to to bring in players. And I think we've we've we've we've brought players and you know, through those variety of ways, I think we've used them all. UM. But it's to put the best
team together, not necessarily a team full of first round picks. UM. And we're look, we're looking for guys who are tough, we're smart, who a competitive, who love to play on our team first and UM, you know that's kind of the criteria we look for. And UM as we look through those different avenues to to acquire players. You know,
that's really always at the forefront. And on the topic of rookie's coach, you guys made a lot and picks last year, scheduled for a handful more this year, and your rookies last season played more than four thousand snaps for you, How do you think that benefits the outlook for that class? You know I learned early on that, Um, every experience for a player is is a good experience, good or bad? Um. If you if you have a good play, hey, well what are the steps I took
to have to make a good play. I'll continue those steps and try to improve on them. If you had a bad play, what didn't I do or what did I do to to not go my way. And so you know, our rookies playing that many snaps, there were some good players, there were some bad plays, and I think overall you saw improvement from them, you know, throughout
the course of the season. But um, you know, like like like I've already said in our first meeting, you know, last year was last year, and we've we've got to kind of build on build on that, um, but really take the next steps to to improve moving forward. UM. But specific to you know, those players last year, UM, I think I think it only helps um uh, but honestly, it only helps if if they build on it and coach you alluded to the preference for tough, smart, physical
discipline players here in South Florida. How would you say that you feel the roster reflects that message now heading into your third year, I think, I think, uh, we we have a group of guys who who fit a lot of that criteria. I mean, we've got a tough group, they're competitive, they'd love to play UM and their team first. So I think they fit that criteria. Christ and staff have done a nice job of bringing in those those
types of players. UM, And I think you know, we we continue I think that that criterias, you know, part of a big part of you know, whether or not a player develops. Um and um, I think we've seen some growth in some of our guys and hopefully we'll
continue to see more. And as you talk about development there with play or and the young roster you had last season coming into this year, how important is development in your process and just kind of how do how do you you know, approach the roster building process when it comes to how you develop your own players and your own your own team. I mean, you know, I
think you've heard me say this before. I think you know my goal as a coach is to help these players become the best version of themselves on and off the field. Um. So development is obviously a big part of that. And um you know we we we right the second they get in the door. You know, it's not just me, it's not just our coaching staff. It's
Staple logo with the strength and conditioning. It's Caleb Thornhill who plays obviously a huge role, especially with the rookies m getting acclimated to South Florida, you know, getting them all the There's a lot of little things that go on. No one hears about from iPad to housing to uh, you know, getting a car to you know, all these things. You know, Caleb and Josh Manner, they do a great
job as far as uh helping these guys acclimate. UM. And that's part of the development UM obviously you know, from a from a playing and coaching side side our guys, you know, harping on the fundamentals, harping on the techniques, harpening on the communication. Uh, you know, educating them on you know, just our new terminology, which is which is so new really for any any any uh any rookie.
So UM. There's a lot of areas where they you know, they're they're still young kids, I mean fresh out of college. I think you remember when you were fresh out of college. I do you know, I don't know we were. You think you got all the answers, but you really have none. UM. We just try to help him UM. And I think we bring in you know, the types of guys who UM, who are who are willing to learn, UM, who are
open to receiving that information at the end of the day. UM. You know, as coaches, as you know, even support staff here we're all teachers. We're trying to educate these guys and and and help them, UM, you know, reach out potential. And as you embark here on your third season as head coach of the Miami Dolphins, how would you say you've grown as a coach and as a leader over the last couple of years. Uh, I mean I think
I think I've grown in a lot of ways. UM. You know, I think of um, just in game, you know, I want to take a time I went not to take a time, I wouldn't throw the red flag. Uh. The adjustments that need to be made, um. But just as a leader, I think, UM. You know, Look, this is a one thing that's important to me, is that my relationship with the players. UM. You know, I think respect is a big thing for me. UM. You know, I want our players to know that I'm I'm fair,
that I'm respectful, UM, and I'm demanding UM. And I think that you know, I think I think we all need that, UM in all areas. So I tried to grow. And you know, as a leader, UM, you know, not only for the players, but for everyone in this organization. I think you do that, you know by example. UM. And at the end of the day, to me, leadership is about service. So I continue to try to serve you know, the players, the coaches, to support staff and
help them grow anyway I can so. And this is probably a little bit vague of a question for you, coach, but I do want to get you to expand it if I can. Has there been one part of the job that stands out above others as the most rewarding part of the job, Like, what has been the most fulfilling and satisfying and rewarding part of this job for you? I'm not really vague. I mean, I think that's that
question that's always gonna be the same answer. The most rewarding part of this job for me is my relationship with the players, UM, helping them, um have success in a game that they love. UM, So it's helping them on the field. But obviously, honestly, more than that, it's it's, uh, you know, I love watching guys. Um we turned into good husbands and good fathers and good um, good friends, And I think that's you know, that is coaching at
the end of the day. UM. So you know, being able to help these guys reach their potential on and off the field. Off the field is honestly, you know, probably the most rewarding. Um. But on the field, absolutely want to win and compete and get better, and that's rewarding as well. Just as Ward and coach. Last year, we saw the great intersection of football and family on Draft Day. I think for my money, your kids stole the show hanging out with Pops in the office on
Draft Day. Have you had a chance to step back and enjoy some family time this offseason? Oh? Yes, Um, you know, I'm I'm very fortunate and lucky. I got a great wife, Jenny, and three beautiful kids, and we spent a lot of time together, you know, weekend trips to um, you know, a variety of places. Uh, my boys are in the flag football league, so I did a little flag football coaching this this offseason. Um. You know, my my son's first communion is on Saturday of the draft,
so I'll be there too. You know, I won't miss the draft, but you know it's in the morning. So but it's been a great offseason spending time with them. You know, in season, Um, you know, things get so busy. Um.
You know you miss a lot of time. But you know, I always try to have our Friday night dinners and I'm very fortunate, and it's been it's been a great off season, and they're supportive, and they're they're excited for for the draft coming up, and they're asking if they can they can they can pop in the draft room, and you know, hopefully we can we can make something happening. I think I speak for all of Dolphins Nation when
I say we would love to see that. Now, Coach, you've mentioned the Friday night dinners in the past, and you alluded to it here. I'm curious, do you get in the kitchen, do any of the cooking yourself? And if so, what's your go to meal we go out to eat? You know, I order pizza in you so yes, I make that perfect enough cereal pizza, whatever it might be. And now my other question is you had mentioned being
on the sidelines during your son's flag football games. Do the other coaches ever come up to you and ask you, maybe for some advice on a play call or a certain situation, like what's your involvement there? And I try to keep a little profile so you there have been a few times where there have been some time outs that I personally wouldn't have called in the flag game, But I'm not gonna I say nothing. I just I just I keep my cool and uh and enjoy the game.
I mean, it's it's fun watching young guys, young kids play and have fun. And you see the competitiveness of the parents on the sideline, and I know I'm I enjoyed being part of that. I love to hear a coach, very good head coach of your Miami Dolphins, Brian Flores, Coach, I really appreciate your time today. I know you're a very very busy man, and here's hoping the draft board falls perfectly for us and a great season. Thank you
so much, coach. Thank you trash and the way he goes head coach of your Miami Dolphins, Brian Flores Drivetime debut. How great was that talking about the relationship with his players, scouting through a pandemic, and the all the collaboration that goes on inside that building with Chris Greer and his staff, Brian Floors and his staff. And we're fortunate to have him here here in Miami and fortune to get him on the podcast. Asked for this edition of the Drive
Time podcast. That is gonna be my time. You all please be sure to subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcast or Spotify, wherever you get your podcast from. Go ahead and leave us a rating, leave us a review, give me a follow on Twitter. It's at Wingfield, NFL. You can follow the team at Miami Dolphins, check out the fish Tank and the Audible podcast, and of course Miami dolphins dot com. Until next time finds up