Patriots’ Brian Flores ‘Really Impressed’ Cardinals GM In Head-Coaching Interview

Brian Flores didn’t land a head-coaching job this winter, but he left a strong impression on Arizona Cardinals general manager Steve Keim.

Keim, who interviewed Flores in January for the Cardinals’ head-coaching vacancy, praised the New England Patriots linebackers coach Wednesday during a news conference at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.

“Brian was a guy I didn’t know a lot about,” Keim told reporters, via Patriots.com. “Had the recommendations from a lot of different people. (I) was really impressed with him in the interview process, maybe a little bit more just about his presence. A lot of times, you get to know a guy, and early on, you can see that this guy can command the room. And there is no doubt in my mind that Brian Flores has that skill, that he can command the room, that he can hold 53 guys’ attention and earn their respect.

“That’s really what it’s about. The great ones in the league, to me, can do that. I just see him as an up-and-comer.”

Though no announcement has been made, Flores is expected to replace former Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia, who earlier this month was hired as head coach of the Detroit Lions. A former Boston College linebacker, the 37-year-old Flores has been with New England since 2004 and is viewed as a rising star in the coaching ranks.

After interviewing Flores and several other candidates, the Cardinals hired former Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator Steve Wilks to replace the retiring Bruce Arians.