Following Tua Tagovailoa’s recent critical comments, current Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores expressed regret Tuesday in how he handled his relationship with the Dolphins quarterback while Flores served as head coach in Miami.

During an interview Monday on “The Dan Le Batard Show,” Tagovailoa described essentially being told “you suck” and “that you shouldn’t be here” when being coached by Flores. The quarterback even used the words “terrible person” when giving his example.

Flores said Tuesday he wishes continued success for Tagovailoa as well as “nothing but the best.” But Flores added the comments affected him in a way he “wouldn’t say was positive.”

“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,” Flores said. “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 where anyone says that about Brian Flores?”

Tagovailoa described a stark contrast between the styles of his current head coach Mike McDaniel and Flores, on “The Dan LeBatard Show” on Monday. He recalled Flores’ style as an abrasive one.

Flores was asked if he saw the relationship the same way Tagovailoa described it and said that he’s always looking to improve.

“I think, you know, part of coaching is correcting,” Flores said. “I’m always going to correct. I’m always going to have a high standard. And I think, look, I’ve done a lot of reflecting on the situation and communication. I think there’s things I could do better for sure, and I’ve grown in that way. I try to apply the things that I could do better and the things that I’ve learned over the last two or three years.”

Flores, who coached the Dolphins from 2019 to 2021, said he’s built a lot of great relationships during his 21-year NFL coaching career.

“Players, coaches, personnel, equipment, people in the kitchen,” he said. “Across the board, I’ve had a lot of great relationships and I will continue to. But I’m also always looking to get better and evolve.”

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Vikings players Josh Metellus and Harrison Phillips walked Flores to the news conference and told reporters they wanted to show they supported their coach. Flores said those types of relationships are important to him.

“I got into coaching because I was impacted as a young guy by my high school coach, my college coach, all the way back to Pop Warner,” he said. “I got into coaching because I want to make that same kind of impact, positive impact, and pour into young people.”

Flores said his focus is on the Vikings, but that he’d be open to meeting and speaking with Tagovailoa about their issues.

“That’s something I’ve thought about. And maybe if that time arises or is available, I’m certainly open to that,” Flores said.

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 (Photo: Susan Stocker / South Florida Sun Sentinel / Tribune News Service via Getty Images)