Patriots assistant Flores not focused on Dolphins

Within 10 days, New England Patriots linebackers coach/de facto defensive coordinator Brian Flores is expected to be named the head coach of the Miami Dolphins, but he declined to acknowledge the pending hiring on Monday night. Asked directly at Super Bowl media night if he'll be the Dolphins' head coach, Flores replied, "Right now all my focus is on the Rams."

He added, "I really feel like I'm doing a disservice to the players if my mind is anywhere else but on this week, this game, and that's kind of where I'm at." Multiple outlets reported Jan. 11 that the Dolphins planned to hire Flores, but the Patriots' run to the Super Bowl has put the official hiring on hold. Flores reportedly had a second meeting -- after an initial interview -- with the Dolphins last week, in which the team formally offered him the job and the sides discussed staffing.

Per various reports, former Detroit Lions head coach Jim Caldwell is expected to join Flores to coach quarterbacks and be assistant head coach, while Patriots wide receivers coach Chad O'Shea is expected to be the offensive coordinator. Green Bay Packers linebackers coach Patrick Graham reportedly will be the defensive coordinator. However, as preparations continue for his staff with his next team, Flores is thinking only of his current team, at least through Sunday.

"I love these guys," Flores said. "I love every part of the organization. ... I'm locked in. I would say the only thing I've done over the course of my career is take one thing at a time. Try to improve every day. I try to win the day. "When you start thinking about other things in the future, you're not focused on right now. So, I'm focused on our team, our players. That's kind of my goal right now. That's where I'm at."

As for the Patriots, various reports have connected Bret Bielema, currently a defensive consultant with New England, and former Ohio State defensive coordinator Greg Schiano to take major defensive roles when Flores departs, though it's unclear who will be defensive coordinator. --Field Level Media

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)