OT: Eric Bieniemy gets passed for a HC position for 2 years in a row
Arguably the hottest name coming into this year's coaching carousel, Bieniemy is going to be passed over for a HC job again yet again as the Texans become the final team to hire a HC (David Culley from the Ravens). He's interviewed with almost a third of the league by now and no one has picked him. With how fantastic the Chiefs offense looks, at some point you have to wonder what he is saying (or not saying) in interviews that forces every team to look elsewhere.
January 27th, 2021 at 10:46 PM ^
He was my #1 choice for the Lions....that being said, who is anyone to tell a team who they have to hire? 32 teams in the league want to win, and they will make what they think is the best decision to get them there.
Maybe teams are concerned that Andy Reid is running the whole offense? Seems a bit odd, I am expecting him to get a HC job next year.
January 27th, 2021 at 10:54 PM ^
Matt Nagy, and Doug Pederson both got hired despite the fact that they're not the primary playcaller so that excuse by the NFL team falls flat.
January 27th, 2021 at 11:05 PM ^
It sure doesn’t fall flat, two people are too small of a sample size to make that claim. I wanted Bieniemy, but 7 teams did not. Do you understand their criteria for offering a coach the position? Of course not, so what’s the point in speculating?
January 28th, 2021 at 12:01 AM ^
Additionally, Pederson and Nagy have a lot of doubt in their HC tenures.
Pederson hasn't done shit since Frank Reich left and Nagy has underwhelmed big time.
Andy Reid's impressive offenses seems to be putting doubt in people's minds regarding Bieniemy.
January 28th, 2021 at 12:19 AM ^
Too small of a sample size to make that claim? It's a fact that it's a poor excuse for EB not getting the job because both coaches got hired despite having no play calling experience.
It's a bad look when two white coaches got a job while a black coach gets that excuse. Sure, we don't know the criteria for offering a coach the position but when you look at minority coaches hiring, it's bad because you have overwhelming black players playing football and not many black head coaches coaching the league.
Out of the 7 HC job available, only 2 minorities got hired (Saleh and now Culley). NFL has done a bad job at promoting minorities and they're trying to rectifying by offering 3rd round draft picks if a team loses black coaches for a HC job.
January 28th, 2021 at 5:29 AM ^
The NFL does do a bad job of hiring minority candidates, but the logic that the league is overwhelmingly black (not sure if this is true) and thus they should have a higher percentage of black coaches is flawed at best. There is no evidence that being an NFL player makes you a better coach, in fact the evidence is quite the opposite. Players that have spent time in the NFL are actually at a disadvantage because they are spending that time playing rather than coaching, falling behind those that start coaching in college or immediately after. So, in fact the racial makeup of the NFL, which definitely has a higher percentage of African American than the general public, would seem to actually hurt the ability to have a higher candidate pool. If you look at African American head coaches in the NFL the percentage has been close to or above the percentage of the population in the US. However, the overall minority head coaches is far below. That said, it does seem to be far harder for minority coaches to make that jump from coordinator to head coach. EB is just the most recent example.
January 28th, 2021 at 7:23 AM ^
The players can’t be coaches thing falls flat when you look at the NBA...
January 28th, 2021 at 7:52 AM ^
Because coaching a basketball team is exactly like coaching a football team.
January 28th, 2021 at 8:49 AM ^
Did I say that? There is no excusing the amount of falling up that mediocre NFL coaches do. Kliff Kingsbury being a prime example
January 28th, 2021 at 11:15 AM ^
By using NBA players becoming coaches as your example to say NFL players should be able to become coaches, yes you did in fact say that.
January 28th, 2021 at 7:52 AM ^
I mean only if these players have spent time figuring out how to break other team's defenses or attacking their offenses. I mean only if they had watched from the sidelines how each of their moves is countered by the other team. I mean only if they had looked at the film breakdown of their opponent's games to identify tendencies. I mean only if they had played the game since grade school to understand the game!
I think this argument (playing time hampering coaching training) does not hold water. I agree that one should not assume that the coaching community would show the same distribution as the player demographic. But one can expect that. I think it's the mindset. If a player decides to become a coach down the road (irrespective of color), he is actually way ahead of everyone else by simply being immersed in the game for decades. The rest of it is the motivation (whether they want to do something else) and opportunities.
If the Texans can hire a chaplain to be their EVP of Football Operations...
January 28th, 2021 at 12:10 PM ^
“player decides to become a coach down the road (irrespective of color), he is actually way ahead of everyone else by simply being immersed in the game for decades. “ This isn’t true at all. Coaches start from the time they last play— typically in college—and spend the rest of their lives involved in the game. There is no difference whatsoever in immersion in the sport between former pro players and those who were coaches for most of their adult lives.
January 28th, 2021 at 8:00 AM ^
It’s true he should be hired, but I won’t go as far as saying he won’t get hired because he’s black.
some things to keep in mind
1. you can’t hire him until the chiefs season is over, the last two years they’ve been in the super bowl so that means you can’t hire him until mid February.
2. We don’t know how his interviews go
3. he is known to be a bit of a hot head, he’s had a few run ins with the law. Even a few things dropped. Not saying that should be held against him forever as most of them were from when he was young.
4. The play calling thing is an issue to teAms, but he has called plays for KC, but i believe even Borges could lead that offense to a super bowl
January 28th, 2021 at 8:52 AM ^
Yes. There are a lot of variables and details that we, the general public, are not privy to. It's ridiculous to jump to the conclusion that the only reason he has not been hired is because he's black. Given the fact that so many teams have interviewed him and not hired him so far, I think it's becoming apparent that are reasons completely unrelated to the level of melatonin in his skin.
And yet...
January 28th, 2021 at 10:37 AM ^
5: Was also on the staff at Colorado in the early 2000's during the sexual assault scandal.
Bienemy was discussed in detail on this blog after the Lions started interviewing people and I think it is fair to say that head coaches and QB's are held to a different moral standard. If you look around the league I have a hard time coming up with someone in either category with a whole lot of skeletons in the closest that have been made public. Big Ben was investigated for a couple crimes but nothing ever came of it. Jameis Winston is still holding a clipboard. I might be forgetting something or someone but that's about all that I got. It is what it is.
Also, nothing cracks me up more than people yelling about the NFL having underlying tones of "racism" when around 70-75% of the most visible and highly paid members of each organization are minorities.
January 28th, 2021 at 11:01 AM ^
I think present HC if good get the pass, but if you’re a up and coming coach you are held to a high standard to “break through” I do wish the guy gets hired, even if he takes a OC job that he’s the play caller 100pct of the time, but he’s said he won’t budge unless it’s a HC job
January 28th, 2021 at 2:21 PM ^
Not trying to be short with you, just an honest disagreement with your claim: I think the NFL has underlying tones of racism primarily because of the Kaepernick situation, and this season they themselves have leaned in to trying to rectify that. However, given how public that situation was, for a lot of people it will be very hard for them to change how they are thought of in this arena, and situations like this one with EB (however you may feel about his qualifications) certainly don't help in that regard.
January 28th, 2021 at 9:51 AM ^
There is so much flawed thinking in here. The majority of players are black and thus too busy to become coaches?? These two things have nothing in common. For every black player that makes a career in the NFL, there are hundreds that also have played the game at a high level and have deep knowledge of what makes a successful player and coach. Black men are over-represented at EVERY level of football except when you get into the coaching and executive ranks.
Does not mean every team must now go out and hire Eric B - but let’s not 1) pretend that there isn’t a problem or 2) use black players’ success as athletes to excuse the lack of diversity at higher levels of football
January 28th, 2021 at 11:30 AM ^
There's more to it. Historically quarterbacks have been white, while defensive players have been overwhelmingly black. As these players matriculate, and become coaches, there tend to be a lot of offensive minded coaches who are white, and the defensive coaches are black. Todd Bowles, Tony Dungy, Marvin Lewis, Leslie Frazier, Art Shell, Mike Tomlin, Love Smith, Herm Edwards, Romeo Crennel etc. All defensive guys. Even taking a look at many of the young OC's they are former qbs. Now that more african-americans are playing quarterback, you'll start to see more black names pop up for these jobs. (Both Super Bowl OC's are black) But if you're a coach in today's NFL...or even in college, you want offensive innovation, and those roles are more often than not white former qbs. While it may sound far fetched, it was an article written by SB Nation a year or two ago that discusse din detail. If I can find it again, I'll provide a link.
Another thing I would be wary of, which has nothing to do with race, but is mentioned here is always be wary of hiring a coordinator from a head coach that specializes on that side of the ball. Bill Belichek's defensive hires never really work out. Urban Meyer's offensive coaches never work out. The former DC's from the Seahawks Super Bowl years both got fired. Andy Reid has been an offensive genius for almost 2 decades, so I'd be really skeptical of hiring one of his OC's.
January 28th, 2021 at 1:40 PM ^
Mike Tomlin was a wide receiver at William & Mary and his first couple of coaching jobs were coaching the wide receivers. After that, he was a defensive coach prior to going to the Steelers.
January 28th, 2021 at 10:22 AM ^
When you buy your NFL team, you can hire anybody you want. If you don't like it, don't watch.
January 28th, 2021 at 11:47 AM ^
Or... EB has other issues that complicate his candidacy. He may be a great offensive mind, but his history is 100% getting in his way: Bengals head coaching search: The uncomfortable pasts of Chiefs’ Eric Bieniemy and Vance Joseph - Cincy Jungle
January 28th, 2021 at 12:13 PM ^
You really think teams that have tons and tons of money on the line are taking coaches that they think have a higher probability of failing because they are white?
You should stop letting people think for you.
January 27th, 2021 at 10:46 PM ^
Some people have said teams attribute the KC offensive success to Andy Reid (and the special players that they have, obviously), but a whole raft of Belichick disciples from his defensive staff got a shot at HC jobs when everyone attributed the defensive success to Bill. Mangini, Crennel, Patricia, maybe others? It is odd.
January 27th, 2021 at 10:48 PM ^
Those guys didn’t exactly work out well.
January 28th, 2021 at 5:33 AM ^
It’s true, though he has won 6 Super Bowls. I do wonder if the chiefs win again this year if we start to see a change in people hiring Reid’s assistants. The other difference is the perception of how they did it. The Patriots were always seen as doing it with a bunch of non stars, and that it was all about the system. The Chiefs success has been seen as all about Mahommes, who is seen as one of the most talented players ever in the NFL. I think this is probably a huge factor.
January 28th, 2021 at 8:06 AM ^
Tom Brady?
January 28th, 2021 at 8:52 AM ^
The Belichek/Brady thing is actually pretty similar to the Reid/Mahomes one. I think people may be passing on EB not only because it's presumed Reid drives the offensive philosophy, but Mahomes, Kelce and Tyreek Hill are a generational-type talent and many of the big plays/schemes may not be transferable to other teams. It's unlikely EB could have the same success in Detroit for example given our personnel, and if you think he's just going to be able to draft another Mahomes, Hill and Kelce, that's a stretch.
January 28th, 2021 at 9:51 AM ^
Talent-wise, I think Kansas City's success can be replicated elsewhere with the right evaluations. Unfortunately, I just don't think a lot of teams have the vision that Andy Reid does. Mahomes is a good QB, but I'm not sure how much better he is than Aaron Rodgers was in his prime. There are other speedy slot receivers. And Kelce is good, yes, but he's good because of all the ways that KC finds to get him open, by using motions and the threat of speedy guys like Hill and Hardman.
There are a few guys who have strong arms and good mobility, such as Rodgers, Matt Stafford, Justin Herbert, etc. Put a few guys at QB with Andy Reid, and they'll look like stars, too - just like Donovan McNabb.
January 28th, 2021 at 8:25 AM ^
From the distance many coaches look like winners. Many people thought Matt Patricia, the rocket scientist, was going to turn Lions around. Colts hire Frank Reich, who was not their first or even second choice, and look what he has done. If it was so obvious who the next great coach will be, we would not have so many turnover among coaches each year.
With confidence, I can say that it has nothing to do with Eric's race. Lots of black coaches have been hired and fired in recent years. Perhaps he is not that impressive in one-on-one interviews. Perhaps former or current players are not making glowing comments about him. The owners and the GMs want to win and they would hire Eric in a heart beat if they thought he was the coach to do it. Perhaps, they are incompetent and do not recognize his coaching talent. We simply do not have enough information.
January 28th, 2021 at 8:30 AM ^
Your forgot Brian Flores. I’m sure that wasn’t intentional. He’s doing very well.
January 28th, 2021 at 10:30 AM ^
I think you kinda made the point that hiring assistants from great teams doesn't always give great HCs. BTW, in the NFL I think the GM and owner are just as important as the coach.
January 27th, 2021 at 10:47 PM ^
He is the OC for an offensive guru, coordinating an offense with arguably the best QB, TE and WR in the league. Behind a very good OL. Perhaps people wonder how much credit for their offense he deserves? Think Charlie Weis.
January 28th, 2021 at 7:55 AM ^
If you think Charlie Weis he gets hired and fired multiple times and becomes rich for NO reason and his past failures would’ve been overtly overlooked forever.
January 28th, 2021 at 8:29 AM ^
If I recall correctly, Charlie never got a HC job at NFL. Maybe those GMs are not as dumb as we think. But some college ADs are as dumb as we think.
January 28th, 2021 at 8:39 AM ^
You would be correct. I was responding to the poster that mentioned him, that’s all.
January 28th, 2021 at 8:54 AM ^
My only point in referencing Charlie Weis is that oftentimes, people become infatuated with coordinators on successful teams only to find out that the success had nothing to do with the coordinator but much more to do with the head coach and/or the players on the team. Weis is a prime example, but in the NFL, how many former OC that coached Manning and Brady, DC from the Pats or OC for Reid went on to become a head coach and didn’t do well? The list is long.
January 28th, 2021 at 10:06 AM ^
I agree.
January 28th, 2021 at 10:58 AM ^
All true aside from the OL. They have been decimated with injuries this year and it will patchwork at best for the SB.
January 28th, 2021 at 2:41 PM ^
These are my thoughts as well. What offensive coordinator wouldnt be having success in Kansas City right now?
January 27th, 2021 at 10:49 PM ^
Maybe he’s a terrible interviewee?
I can empathize. So, I work for myself.
January 28th, 2021 at 1:16 AM ^
I’m surprised you hired yourself.
January 28th, 2021 at 9:50 AM ^
My boss is a dick, btw.
January 28th, 2021 at 1:41 AM ^
Don't be ridiculous.
January 28th, 2021 at 5:40 AM ^
I thought you were a reporter for the Chicago Chronicle?
January 28th, 2021 at 6:25 AM ^
I’ve read exactly this. Didn’t seem to have a plan for team(s) he interviewed with.
January 28th, 2021 at 7:02 AM ^
That seems like a huge flaw! I would think its a no-brainer to go into an NFL HC interview with a good idea about the personnel that team has and how best to employ them. You should also be able to explain the culture you want and how you plan to go about getting it. If he is unprepared, or cannot speak coherently about such things, it is a fair result to doubt how well he can coach.
If this is the case, then Reid is failing him - as is his agent. I have no doubts that the man can coordinate a great offense - Mahommes and the stars surrounding him aren't that coordinated and same-pagey because of raw talent! Reid no doubt helped with concepts and schemes, but EB is running that show.
January 27th, 2021 at 10:59 PM ^
Is it possible that even though he took some interviews, he enjoys working with a budding dynasty, and feels he won’t get to work with an offense like this one anywhere else?
January 27th, 2021 at 11:01 PM ^
From what I've read/heard he has a checked past related to sexual assault accusations. That's not to say there aren't other coaches given a shot more recently that don't have one either (I am not sure if that is the case one way or another).
I think, first and foremost, Bienemy deserves a shot at a head coaching position. The guy runs one of the most dynamic offenses I've seen since Mike Martz with the St. Louis Rams, even if it is Andy Reid's offense to begin with.
That said, I think the fact that its pretty common knowledge the Chiefs' offense is Andy Reid's design, he has the past that he has, and he doesn't seem to particularly "interview well" (whatever that means), he isn't getting the shot that his resume says he deserves.
I think eventually he will and should get a shot at a head coach gig. I don't think he's getting "the ol' boy's club" treatment; I think the league has done a lot to move away from that, and done so successfully.
I think more likely, he really is not great at interviewing, there's legitimate concern he just manages an offense already built for him, and his previous run-ins with the law (not saying that's fair or legitimate, just the PR that comes with hiring a coach with that in their background) made him not one of the top coaching candidates for a few cycles.
I do believe he will get a HC position at some point, and I think there is a pretty solid chance he'll work out. There are wrinkles in the Chief's offense that we haven't seen in other Andy Reid offenses which is fair to assume Bienemy came up with those and has a pretty dynamic offensive mind.
January 27th, 2021 at 11:15 PM ^
Even if it is Andy Reid’s offense, he has spent years learning from the master. I can’t figure out why no one will give him a shot but considering who has been hired over the past two years as HC, the lack of autonomy cannot be a legitimate factor