Tua Tagovailoa and Brian Flores (Photos via @LeBatardShow/X & @JeffWaldFox9/X)

Brian Flores has responded to Tua Tagovailoa’s scathing comments following the Miami Dolphins quarterback claiming his former coach destroyed his confidence.

Tua made headlines this week, having appeared on ‘The Dan Le Batard’ show and discussing the differences between Flores and his current head coach Mike McDaniel.

The QB praised McDaniel but had nothing but criticism for Flores,

“To put it in simplest terms, if you woke up every morning and I told you, you suck at what you did, that you don’t belong doing what you do, that you shouldn’t be here, that this guy should be here, that you haven’t earned this right — and then you have somebody else come in and tell you, dude, you are the best fit for this. You are accurate, you are the best whatever, you are this, you are that. How would it make you feel listening to one or the other?” he asked.

Flores, who has since taken the defensive coordinator job with the Minnesota Vikings, responded to the QB’s claims while speaking to reporters on Tuesday.

 

He acknowledged how well Tua has played for Miami since their split and wished him the best, adding his focus is now on the Vikings.

“I’m happy — genuinely happy — for the success that Tua has had,” he remarked. “I really wish him nothing but the best. I think player relationships are very important to me. I think that’s kind of the foundation of coaching. I got into coaching because I was impacted as a young guy by my high school coaches, my college coaches, going all the way to Pop Warner. 

“I got into coaching because I want to make that same kind of impact — a positive impact — and pour into young people to help them become… the best versions of themselves. That’s really my goal always in coaching. So, I wish nothing but the best to Tua and really more than anything, I’m just focused on the Vikings — the 2024 Vikings.”

Brian Flores Admits Being Rocked By Tua Tagovailoa’s Comments

Brian Flores was pressed specifically on Tua Tagovailoa suggesting he was a “terrible person,” and the former Dolphins HC admitted the statement had a negative impact on him.

“That hit me in a way that I wouldn’t say was positive for me,” he said. “But at the same time, I’ve got to use that and say, how can I grow from that? How can I be better? That’s really where I’m at from that standpoint. Do I feel like that’s me? No, but how can I grow from that situation and create a world where that’s not the case that anyone says that about Brian Flores?”

Flores didn’t outright apologize for his handling of his former QB, but his comments suggest he is contrite and will likely be appreciated by the Pro Bowler.