Former Dolphins coach Brian Flores alleges Giants interviewed him just to satisfy Rooney rule

After former Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores was fired, the New York Giants scheduled to speak with him for their head-coaching vacancy despite already making the decision to hire former Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Brian Daboll, according to the lawsuit Flores filed on Tuesday against the NFL and the Dolphins alleging racial discrimination.

The interview, the suit claims, was only conducted to fulfill the NFL’s Rooney Rule, which requires teams to interview two external minority candidates for head coaching vacancies.

The lawsuit posts screenshots of text messages Flores allegedly exchanged with Bill Belichick, in which the New England Patriots coach mistakenly congratulates Flores for getting the job in New York when he actually meant to congratulate Brian Daboll.

Flores, the suit says, had not yet had his interview with the Giants.

“I hear from Buffalo & NYG [New York Giants] that you are the guy,” the text says. “Hope it works out if you want it too!” A later text says, “Sorry — I [expletive] this up. I double checked & I misread the text. I think they are naming Daboll. I’m sorry about that. BB.”

Last week, New York named Daboll, who is white, as its new coach.

“We are pleased and confident with the process that resulted in the hiring of Brian Daboll,” the Giants said in a statement, according to ESPN. “We interviewed an impressive and diverse group of candidates. The fact of the matter is Brian Flores was in the conversation to be our head coach until the eleventh hour. Ultimately, we hired the individual we felt was most qualified to be out next head coach.”

This story was originally published February 1, 2022 at 7:33 PM.