Despite impressive resume, Eric Bieniemy continues to be overlooked for NFL head coaching roles
It should come as no surprise to NFL fans that Eric Bieniemy, the offensive coordinator for the Kansas City Chiefs, has left the Chiefs to become the OC for the Washington Commanders.
However, unless you're new to the league or haven't kept up with recent events, you'll know that, while this is a lateral move, it feels more like a downgrade.
Bieniemy is leaving a team that has been a title contender for the past five years. They have appeared in three Super Bowls and won two. It doesn't make sense for their OC to leave and take on the same role with the Commanders, a team that failed to make the playoffs.
The move has left many wondering why he would choose to make this change at this point in his career. He may be looking for a new challenge and a chance to prove himself in a different environment.
It's inexplicable that other teams in need of a head coach didn't offer him the job, given that he is just as qualified as anyone else on the market, as can be seen from his impressive resume.
Eric Bieniemy's coaching resume
His coaching career began in Colorado in 2001, where he served as the running back's coach after retiring from his nine-year NFL career as a running back in 1999. He later became the running backs coach for UCLA from 2003 to 2005.
In 2005, he was hired by the Minnesota Vikings as their running backs coach after UCLA won the Sun Bowl. Under his guidance, Adrian Peterson led the NFC in rushing in 2007, and in 2008, Peterson, with Bieniemy's guidance, led the league in rushing yards with 1,760 yards.
After leaving the Vikings, he returned to Colorado as the offensive coordinator for the team on December 2, 2010. In 2013, Andy Reid hired him as the running backs coach for the Kansas City Chiefs.
He was later promoted to offensive coordinator in 2018 when the Chiefs' former OC, Matt Nagy, was hired as the head coach for the Chicago Bears.
In his first season as OC, he guided Patrick Mahomes to throw for over 5,000 yards and 50 touchdowns, making him just the second player in NFL history to achieve this feat after Peyton Manning.
The Chiefs also led the league in offensive yards and points scored per game during his first year as OC. The team set a record for the third-most points scored in a season in NFL history with 565 points.
Since 2018, the Chiefs have consistently had one of the top-five offenses in the league. The team has led the league in offense twice in 2018. Most recently, they did so in the 2021-2022 season. Given his impressive track record, it's no wonder that many are questioning why he hasn't been offered a head coach job yet.
The Andy Reid effect
Andy Reid is widely regarded as one of the greatest offensive geniuses the NFL has ever seen. His ability to set up plays that dissect defenses and leave his key players open is nothing short of remarkable.
However, some have argued that Bieniemy might not necessarily be the one calling the plays. They speculate that Reid himself is the mastermind behind the offense. This could be the reason behind his inability to get a head coaching position in the NFL.
Contrary to this speculation, history has shown that many of Reid's offensive coordinators and assistant coaches have gone on to become successful head coaches.
Brad Childress, who was the offensive coordinator for the Eagles from 1999-2005 and appeared at the NFC championship games three consecutive times, including a Super Bowl appearance in 2004, was hired as the Vikings head coach, even though he did not call plays as the OC under Reid.
Eric Bieniemy: “What I gotta do to get a head coaching job?”
NFL: https://t.co/EDyFA4ETND
John Harbaugh served as a special teams coach for the Eagles under Reid for nine years before being the defensive-back coach for a season. He then got hired by the Baltimore Ravens as head coach, where he has been successful.
Doug Pederson was the offensive coordinator for the Chiefs under Reid in the 2013-2015 season before going on to become the Eagles head coach in 2016. Similarly, Matt Nagy, who was the offensive coordinator under Reid in 2016, was hired by the Bears as head coach in 2018.
So it is clear that the Reid effect is real. He not only creates successful offenses but also develops and mentors his coaches to become successful head coaches in their own right.
Why has Eric Bieniemy not been hired as an NFL head coach?
The question of whether race is a factor in Bieniemy's failure to secure a head coach role in the NFL is a valid one. It seems almost customary for coordinators of leading offenses in the NFL on teams that have been contenders in recent years to be offered head coaching jobs.
Despite Andy Reid's ability to develop his coaching staff, Bieniemy remains overlooked for the top job. Bieniemy's impressive resume is as good as any coach who has been offered a head coaching position.
The NFL has a precedent for most assistant coaches and offensive coordinators being hired as head coaches, even for teams with little success, such as the Indianapolis Colts hiring Jeff Saturday. So it is puzzling why Bieniemy has not been offered a head coaching position.
The Eric Bieniemy situation is without precedent and should be mortifying for the league. I discuss the full context for it here. https://t.co/I6bjllIx58
The reality is that Bieniemy has interviewed for the role an impressive 16 times with 15 teams (he interviewed with the Jets twice), and only three of the 16 coaches who were picked over him have made the playoffs, while seven have been fired.
It is reasonable to believe that those in charge of hiring head coaches for NFL teams may be more concerned about the race of the individual than what they can offer as a coach, which is the only logical reason for Bieniemy's repeated snub.
He deserves a head coaching job in the NFL, and it is crucial for the league to address and eliminate any racial biases that may be present in the hiring process.
Teams should prioritize hiring coaches based on their ability, experience, and merit rather than their race, and Bieniemy's record of success, leadership, and innovation makes him a compelling candidate for any head coach position.