Former Pittsburgh Steelers assistant coach Brian Flores has spearheaded one of the league’s best defenses as the Minnesota Vikings’ defensive coordinator, spawning interest from franchises with head coach openings.

The New York Jets were the first organization to officially request an interview with Flores this go-around. The Jacksonville Jaguars have also joined in on the party, however, as the team announced on their official Twitter account that they also intend on speaking with him.

Flores was a long-time member of the New England Patriots’ organization beginning in 2004, serving in a variety of different roles while helping the franchise secure four Super Bowl rings.

His most prominent position was as the team’s linebackers coach from 2016 to 2018, which was his last before being hired by the Miami Dolphins as their head coach in 2019.

In three seasons under Flores, the Dolphins went 24-25 and failed to reach the postseason. Despite the fact that the franchise had just begun the rebuilding process upon him coming on board and shown steady signs of progress, he was fired after the 2021 campaign.

Flores landed as a senior defensive assistant and linebackers coach with the Steelers for the 2022 season. His stint with the team was short-lived though, as Minnesota pried him away in February 2023.

This year, Flores’ unit held opponents to 19.5 points and 335.4 yards per contest. The Vikings are the No. 5 seed in the NFC playoff picture after posting a 14-3 record, falling just behind the Detroit Lions at 15-2 in the AFC North.

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What’s going on in Pittsburgh this weekend, Jan. 9-12? Find out here. Know of a cool event? Email us.

Thursday, Jan. 9-Sunday, Jan. 12: “Funny Girl” at the Benedum Center
Various times
Tap your toes into 2025 with one of the high points of the new PNC Broadway in Pittsburgh season. The iconic musical (which starred Barbra Streisand when it debuted on Broadway in 1964) is only here for a limited one-week engagement, so don’t miss your chance to sing along to “I’m the Greatest Star” and “Don’t Rain On My Parade.” Starring Hannah Shankman, the semi-biographical story explores the life of comedian and Broadway star Fanny Brice. Follow unstoppable Fanny, from her childhood on NYC’s Lower East Side to pursuing her dreams on the stage.

The creative team reads like a who’s who of powerhouse award winners, with a score by Jule Styne and Bob Merrill, an updated book from Harvey Fierstein based on the original classic by Isobel Lennart and choreography by Ellenore Scott. Directed by Michael Mayer, the production showcases tap choreography by Ayodele Casel. Best experienced live, the bittersweet comedy celebrates resilience, ambition and self-acceptance. Tickets.

Friday, Jan. 10: Congress of Neighboring Communities (CONNECT) Symposium at Phipps Conservatory
9:30 a.m.-6 p.m.
Southwestern PA is home to the most local governments per capita in the country, and this first-of-its-kind symposium is dedicated to the wellbeing of government workers. The event was designed in response to a study by Eagle Hill Consulting showing that 41% of government employees experience burnout, 86% of whom reported health and wellness as the area most impacted by their job.

Representatives from the City of Pittsburgh plus 40 surrounding municipalities will gather to recharge, connect with nature and make meaningful connections with local officials. Sessions will help public sector professionals adopt holistic self-care practices, identify common public policy challenges and implement innovative solutions. Highlights include a resource fair, a garden dance party & “friendraiser” and a luncheon launching the Joni Schwager Champion of Mental Health in Local Government Award. Register.

Friday, Jan. 10, & Saturday, Jan. 11: “Collective Dreaming” at Artists Image Resource
6-9 p.m. & 12-3 p.m.
After a chance meeting in 2022, the Pittsburgh-based #notwhite collective and Denver’s Los Fantasmas have come together to create a multi-format artistic partnership. During a two-year collaboration, 20 featured artists from the two collectives “met virtually to share and discuss artistic and cultural practices,” leading to a national series exploring the concept of collectively dreaming. The project was launched in August 2024 at Yolia ArtSpace in Englewood, Colorado, with a group exhibition hosted by Los Fantasmas.

The Denver collective makes its Pittsburgh debut with the second group exhibition, where work by Indigenous, Chicano and Raza-identifying artists will be on view at AIR. Free opening weekend events include an artist reception with music by Geña y Peña and DJ SMI on Friday night, followed by a printmaking workshop on Saturday afternoon. The local installment is augmented by a four-month showcase of work at Sidewall in Bloomfield. The project concludes with a round table discussion, Collective Visibility: Conversations on Art, Identity and Community in the U.S., on Feb. 11 at Carlow University. Information.

Find more art events in our new monthly series, NEXT in the Gallery

Friday, Jan. 10: 21+ Night: Happy New Yinz at Carnegie Science Center
6–10 p.m.
Get ready to exclaim Happy New Year in your best yinzer accent. Head dahn to the Science Center to welcome 2025 with all things 412. Meet entertainer Joe Long, creator of the viral characters “Don and Deb,” City of Pittsburgh archivist Charles Succop and Fred Rogers Productions Chief Creative Officer Ellen Doherty. Wear your finest black and gold garments to charm the audience during Pittsburgh-themed Quiplash games led by Loose Cannon Comedy. Design the city’s next bridge (because 446 is never enough!), see artifacts from Carnegie Museum of Natural History and make prints with The Andy Warhol Museum. Play musical parking chairs, pierogi corn hole and mini golf featuring Pittsburgh icons and music. Tickets.

Saturday, Jan. 11: Orchid and Tropical Bonsai Show: A Moment of Beauty at Phipps
9:30 a.m.-10 p.m.
Appreciate the beauty in each moment and take a tropical daycation at Phipps. The all-new lush oasis showcases a vast variety of entrancing and ephemeral specimens. Be immersed in kaleidoscopic colors and journey through a collection of classically trained tropical bonsai. Encounter exquisite orchid blooms, stroll through butterfly sculptures and check out the stunning Kokedama displays. Read more about the exhibit in NEXT. Tickets.

Saturday, Jan. 11, & Sunday, Jan. 12: Pittsburgh RV Show at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center
Various hours
Daydreaming about your next road trip? Pittsburghers with wanderlust will love the country’s longest-running indoor RV Show, which rolls into the convention center for nine days. Spanning 350,000 square feet, it’s your go-to spot for the year’s biggest selection, lowest prices and best manufacturer incentives. Leading dealers will be on site displaying a staggering array of 400 RVs. Compare the latest models, try out RV accessories and get pro tips from industry experts. Read more about the RV Show in NEXT. Tickets.

Saturday, Jan. 11: Karl Mullen: A Clarion Call at ZYNKA Gallery
5-8 p.m.
ZYNKA Gallery, a hub for contemporary art in the region, kicks off the new year with an exhibition featuring a Dublin-born artist with deep Pittsburgh roots. See Karl Mullen’s collection of paintings, sculptures and mixed-media works explore the intersection of figurative and abstract forms at the free opening reception in Sharpsburg.

The artist provides some context and a hint at what viewers will experience: “We are all bombarded nonstop with bad news, insufferable political jockeying, advertisements for things we do not need and the inhuman acceleration of daily life. And so I paint, mark make and create images, not only as a refuge but a bulwark against an avalanche of lies and despair.” While living in Pittsburgh from 1976 to 2004, Mullen was a catalytic figure within the city’s art and music scenes. Information.

Saturday, Jan. 11: Jim Jefferies at Heinz Hall
7 p.m.
Australian comedian, actor and writer Jim Jefferies brings his new worldwide tour, Son of a Carpenter, to the Cultural District for just one night. Known for his brand of thought-provoking comedy, Jefferies has created more than 10 stand-up specials, including shows for Netflix and Comedy Central, while also makes the rounds at international comedy festivals. He has also appeared in films and TV shows, including the FX series, “Legit,” which he co-wrote, produced and starred in. Tickets.

Sunday, Jan. 12: Women’s Mixer: Fight the Sunday Scaries at Spirit
4-8 p.m.
Pittsburgh Girls Who Walk and Nerd Nite Pittsburgh team up to help us banish the Sunday Scaries with speed friending, pizza and games. The night starts with attendees rotating around in small social groups every 10 minutes. The goal is to create a welcoming house party vibe, where attendees can discover mutual connections and meet new people. After speed friending, City of Play will host party games such as Telestrations, Codenames and Monikers. Proceeds from the event, which is open to female-identifying guests, will support Girls Who Code. Tickets.

Sunday, Jan. 12: Full Wolf Moon Night Hike on Mount Washington
5-7 p.m.
Explore one of Pittsburgh’s most popular designations illuminated by the Wolf Moon. Welcome the first full moon of 2025 — named after howling wolves and also dubbed the Moon After Yule and Ice Moon — during this moderate, 4-mile hike led by Venture Outdoors. While traversing hillsides, twisting trails and beautiful vistas of Emerald View Park, you’ll learn about the continuous 257 acres of hilly woods surrounding the scenic neighborhood. Previous hiking experience is required. Meet the group at the Olympia Park parking lot (across from 510 Hallock St.). Tickets.

Find more things to do in Pittsburgh with NEXT, including live music, outdoor recreation and family activities, plus our new monthly guide to local art, NEXT in the Gallery.

After CBJ wins, we’ll give three takeaways about what stood out or what we’ll remember from the Blue Jackets victory.

1. The Blue Jackets finally got a win in Pittsburgh.

It was nearly a decade ago on Nov. 13, 2015, when the Blue Jackets last won before tonight in the Steel City. You can almost hear a radio announcer painting a picture of what life was like then as he begins a flashback montage…

“Hello” by Adele was the No. 1 song on the charts. Gas cost $2.23 a gallon, and Peyton Manning was on his way to winning his second Super Bowl…

It had been that long since the Blue Jackets left Pittsburgh as a happy bunch, a 15-game losing streak against the division rival that seemed to defy all logic.

There is no magic formula to beat that kind of hex, but the Blue Jackets finally found the right balance between acknowledging it and not really caring.

After all, this is a gameday roster that had 10 new players – plus a new head coach in Dean Evason – since last year’s March 28 loss in Pittsburgh, so it’s not like most in the dressing room were preoccupied with the past or had even lived that much of it.

Add in a relatively young bunch of players – it’s not like Dmitri Voronkov or Adam Fantilli have had too many difficult drives through the Fort Pitt Tunnel in their careers – and it wasn’t really something that hung over this squad that much going in.

“I don’t care,” Kirill Marchenko said afterward. “We just wanted to win, that’s it.”

“I think there were a couple of jokes about it when we flew into Pittsburgh, but I think guys were pretty confident, thinking, ‘This is the year we can do it,’” Kent Johnson said. “Obviously we’ve been a better team (this year), so it definitely felt good to do it.”

Evason was more on the side of not giving two flips, as whatever happened before he got to Columbus has been largely immaterial to him this season. He said assistant coach Jared Boll may have mentioned the streak in the coaches’ room before the game, but Evason’s laser focus was on having the team ready to play, and the Blue Jackets succeeded in that regard.

“Listen, this is a different team than in the past 10 years or whatever it’s been, (or) last year,” Evason said. “We’re a different hockey club. We’re playing the way that the Columbus Blue Jackets play today in order to win. So what’s happened in the past, it means nothing. It really does. This group, if we play hard like that every night, we’ll give ourselves a chance to win regardless of if we haven’t won somewhere.”

2. Adam Fantilli stepped up in a big way after the loss of Sean Monahan.

The first-year Blue Jackets center has been one of the biggest pieces of the team’s resurgence this year, providing excellent play on the top line and bringing leadership to the locker room.

So when Monahan left the game in the third period – he suffered an upper-body injury in the second but tried to go in the final frame, leaving after one shift – it could have been a major blow to the Blue Jackets.

Enter Fantilli, who moved up between Marchenko and Voronkov and brought energy – as well as contributed to two goals – to help the Blue Jackets erase a 3-1 deficit in the final eight minutes. First, his centering pass deflected off of Marchenko and went right to Voronkov at the right post, and the big Russian made no mistake in putting it past Tristan Jarry to make it a one-goal game with 7:55 left.

Fantilli then scored the tying goal with 2:36 remaining and the Blue Jackets on the power play. Taking Monahan’s spot in the bumper position on the man advantage, Fantilli one-touched a sweet pass from Johnson past Jarry from the slot to even the game.