ORONO, Maine -- In this edition of 'Get to Know the Staff', presented by Sea Dog Brewing Company, we caught up with assistant coach and recruiting coordinator, Justin Flores. Flores, who is in his fourth year on staff, coaches the wide receivers. His primary recruiting areas are New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Vermont and eastern and central Connecticut with his in-state focus on Northern Cumberland county. Flores also recruits West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina and South Carolina.
Q&A with Flores:
1. What's currently on your music playlist?
- Billie Holiday, Bob Marley & The Wailers, Nujabes, Lil Wayne and Trippie Redd.
2. What are your favorite TV shows to binge watch? Favorite movies?
- My binge shows are Westworld, On My Block, Casa de Papel and My Hero Acadamia. My favorite movies are Inception, Shutter Island, 2001 A Space
Odyssey, Love & Basketball and Howl's Moving Castle.
3. What's your favorite moment from your time at UMaine?
- Having and holding the Musket in 2018.
4. Who are some of your favorite professional athletes?
- Tom Brady, Cristiano Ronaldo, Eden Hazard, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Kawhi Leonard
5. What're you looking for in a recruit?
- I'm looking for a receiver who has enough twitch at the line to get off of any press we see. Speed regardless of height and weight. A smart receiver, someone who can see what's happening in front of them and quickly react, disciplined with depths and angles, but at the same time can be creative when needed as a route runner with stems and tempos). Good eyes and hands. Some guys have strong hands but don't look the ball in at ALL times. I want someone who is great at both. The ball when in the air is always theirs.
6. What type of character are you looking for in a recruit?
- The first characteristic I'm looking for in someone is if they are ultra competitive or not. Will they step up to the challenge? Do they want to go against the best all the time? A player must also have confidence in themselves. Without confidence in what you're doing, then what do you have? The last characteristic I'm looking for in a recruit in resourcefulness. Can you get things done by any means necessary in a challenging situation?
7. How would you describe your leadership style and coaching philosophy?
- My leadership style is to put faith and trust in my players to get the job done. I'll do anything I can off the field to make sure the guys are right on the field. Talking, not yelling or talking down to, as it gets across to people better. Not a man of very many words, so when I do speak, it should always be valuable in some way. My coaching philosophy = "Chop wood, carry water". The results, good or bad, doesn't change the work that needs to be put in to chase success and greatness.
8. What's your favorite part about being associated with UMaine Football program?
- Being an alum and being able to give back to the program that changed my life. Having a hand in lives and a program that means a lot to me outside just being my job and a school where I coach.
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