Bieniemy, Saleh among top candidates in hopes of adding head coach diversity

One year ago, Eric Bieniemy and Robert Saleh missed out on the coaching carousel despite being coordinators of the two Super Bowl teams.

The Kansas City offensive coordinator and San Francisco defensive coordinator figure to be near the top of many of the lists of possible head coaching candidates again this offseason, when the NFL is hoping some new rules lead to more opportunities for minority coaches.

“I expect him to be a head coach next year because of what he’s able to do,” 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman said about Saleh. “He’s able to rally men. He’s a leader of men and that goes a long way.”

Currently, there are six minority head coaches out of the 32 jobs, with Atlanta’s Raheem Morris and Houston’s Romeo Crennel serving in the roles only on an interim basis. Only three minorities have gotten the 20 openings filled the past three offseasons.

Out of the four full-time minority head coaches, three have their teams in playoff contention, with Mike Tomlin having clinched a berth for Pittsburgh, Washington’s Ron Rivera and Miami’s Brian Flores in the running for spots.

The NFL recently expanded the Rooney Rule with a resolution calling for draft picks as a reward to organizations for developing minority coaches and front office executives who become head coaches, general managers or team presidents for other clubs.

There are several teams in addition to the Chiefs and 49ers who could get the reward.