The Chicago Bears have reached out to at least 12 general manager and nine coaching candidates for interviews. As they go through the process, we’re looking at each of the prospective hires.

Brian Flores, interviewed for the coach opening Friday, the team announced.

<mark class=”hl_orange”>Brian Flores</mark>

Title: Former Miami Dolphins head coach

Age: 40

Experience

In his first NFL head coaching stint, Flores went 24-25 in three seasons with the Dolphins, including back-to-back winning seasons. But the Dolphins didn’t make the playoffs during his tenure, they cycled through offensive coaches and reports of conflict followed his exit.

Flores, a New York native, played linebacker at Boston College and started his coaching career with the New England Patriots as a scouting assistant in 2004 before becoming a pro scout in 2006. He went on to be a coaching assistant (2008-09), an offensive assistant and special teams coach (2010), a defensive assistant (2011), safeties coach (2011-15) and linebackers coach (2016-18). He was a part of four Super Bowl winning teams and called defensive plays in 2018.

You should know

Multiple reports have stated Flores’ departure from the Dolphins was about more than his record, with ESPN reporting his relationships with GM Chris Grier and quarterback Tua Tagovailoa “had deteriorated to a pretty bad place.”

“An organization can only function if it’s collaborative, and it works well together,” Dolphins owner Stephen Ross said. “And I don’t think that we were really working well as an organization … to really win consistently at the NFL level.”

But several players expressed shock on social media at the news of his firing, and Flores immediately became one of the NFL’s hot coaching candidates with speculation about a fit with the Bears, Houston Texans and New York Giants.

Chicago connection

Flores got to know Halas Hall a little bit this summer when the Dolphins visited Lake Forest for joint practices with the Bears.

What has been said

When the Dolphins hired Flores in 2019, Grier said, “Two things that stand out immediately when you meet Brian are his football intelligence and leadership skills. Brian is widely respected throughout the NFL. He paid his dues in New England working in personnel, on offense, defense and special teams, which helped him build a great understanding of what it takes to win.

“If you talk with anyone who has played for him or worked with him, you will hear about his ability to lead and get the most out of people. Brian sets a high standard for his players and coaches and we are completely aligned with our vision on how to build a successful organization.”