USA TODAY International Edition
Bieniemy says it was ‘ time to move on’
ASHBURN, Va. – Many supporters of Eric Bieniemy, including those who have seen his coaching career as an indictment on the shortage of racial diversity among NFL head coaches, were disappointed he joined the Washington Commanders as the offensive coordinator, the same job he held with the Kansas City Chiefs.
But Bieniemy is excited about his new role he said during his introductory news conference Thursday. For Bieniemy, it was simply time to move on from a successful 10 seasons – including two Super Bowl titles and five consecutive AFC championship game appearances – as an assistant under Andy Reid in Kansas City.
“When it was all said and done with, when it was time to move on, it was time to accept this new challenge,” Bieniemy said. “You always envision it in a different way.”
Bieniemy, who will also add the title of assistant head coach with Washington, said he doesn’t enjoy being comfortable.
“Comfort is the enemy of progress,” he said. “So this presents a challenge to me.”
Bieniemy acknowledged he had an inkling that challenge would be away from Kansas City. But being a head coach – a job he’s interviewed for with 15 different teams since 2019 – is something he is not currently thinking about.
“I’m focusing on being the best coach that I can be today,” said Bieniemy, who sported a maroon tie and a gray- checkered suit. “Being a head coach, if that’s to happen, it will take care of itself.
“I can’t worry about the things I can’t control.”
Commanders head coach Ron Rivera was watching the NFL postseason when he saw the Chiefs score points with personnel he considers similar to that of Washington, outside of quarterback. He wanted a play sheet that matched the talent on the Commanders roster, and Bieniemy became Rivera’s primary target after the first week of evaluating potential offensive coordinators. In Washington, Bieniemy will take on play- calling duties for the first time in his NFL career.
Not being able to speak with Bieniemy while the Chiefs were on their Super Bowl run was challenging, Rivera said. Owner Dan Snyder was comfortable with the extended search process knowing that Bieniemy was the potential prize on the other end. Once the Super Bowl ended, Washington immediately filed paperwork to ask for permission to interview Bieniemy, Rivera said. Rivera texted Reid, who he once coached for as well, and Rivera said Reid was supportive of Bieniemy’s opportunity in Washington.
The job wasn’t necessarily on Bieniemy’s radar, but his relationship with Rivera extends back to 1999 with the Philadelphia Eagles. Reid was a first- year head coach and Bieniemy was in the final year of his playing career, while Rivera was the linebackers coach.
On Thursday, several members of the Commanders offense – quarterback Sam Howell, running back Brian Robinson Jr. and receivers Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson – sat in the front row of the auditorium.
“My job is to get these guys to do what they can do and be the best they can be,” Bieniemy said.
Bieniemy said he has already begun communicating with them and said the core of his coaching philosophy is building relationships with players.
“I’m just really excited to get to know him first before we start talking X’s and O’s,” said McLaurin, who added he heard Bieniemy is not shy about making the standards of success known to his players.
Asked if he felt fortunate a coach like Bieniemy was available for an offensive coordinator job, Rivera said yes. He can also empathize with Bieniemy.
Rivera said he interviewed more than a handful of times for a head coaching job before the Carolina Panthers gave him his first top gig in 2011. But he had to go from being a coordinator under a defensive head coach in Lovie Smith with the Chicago Bears to the same job with the San Diego Chargers under an offensive head coach in Norv Turner to make himself more appealing.
“Maybe this will be a good thing for Eric,” Rivera said, “which I’m hoping.”