Brian Flores' lawyers: NFL lawsuit explains why Lovie Smith was hired over him by the Texans

Even though Brian Flores is pleased that Lovie Smith will get another shot at head coaching with the Texans, the former Dolphins coach slammed Houston's choice.

Despite initiating a class action lawsuit against the NFL and its 32 clubs alleging discriminatory hiring practices, Flores was allegedly a contender for the Texans position. Flores' attorneys issued a statement on Smith's hiring on Monday.

"Mr. Flores is pleased to learn that the Texans have hired a Black head coach, Lovie Smith," the statement stated. "Mr. Flores' purpose in filing his complaint is to give meaningful chances for Black and minority applicants to be considered for coaching and managerial positions within the NFL." "However, we would be remiss if we did not mention that Mr. Flores was one of three finalists for the Texans' head coaching position, and after a great interview and mutual interest, it is clear that the only reason Mr. Flores was not selected was his decision to speak out against racial inequality in the NFL."

Smith, a black former Bears coach, was appointed Texans head coach on Monday after serving as the team's offensive coordinator for a year. After Flores and Houston's David Culley were dismissed this offseason, the Steelers' Mike Tomlin was the league's only black head coach remaining until Smith and the 49ers' Mike McDaniel, who is multiracial, were hired the last two days.

The NFL entered the offseason with eight head-coaching vacancies; with Smith's hire and the Saints' promotion of defensive coordinator Dennis Allen, all have been filled.

Flores, who was sacked by the Dolphins after going 24-25 in three seasons without making the playoffs, was thought to be one of three known contenders for Houston's coach, along with former NFL quarterback Josh McCown and Eagles defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon. That was until late Sunday, when the Texans allegedly initiated talks with Smith, who also coached the Buccaneers.

Flores, 40, has ties to Texans GM Nick Caserio from their time together with the Patriots and was thought to be a proponent of the Dolphins wanting to trade for Houston quarterback Deshaun Watson, who missed all of 2021 and could face NFL discipline after his sexual assault cases — brought by more than 20 women — are resolved.

The Poly Prep alum was also a candidate for the Giants' offensive coordinator job, which went to former Bills offensive coordinator Brian Daboll. According to Flores' complaint, his interview with Big Blue was a "sham" since he believes they had already settled on Daboll before speaking with him.

Flores' suit also claimed that Miami owner Stephen Ross tried to incentivise tanking and interfered with a free-agent quarterback, allegedly Tom Brady.

Both the Giants and the Dolphins have flatly disputed Flores' allegations.