The Chiefs have been one of the NFL’s best teams over the last few years, thanks in part to offensive coordinator, Eric Bieniemy.
While head coach Andy Reid receives the majority of the credit for the Chiefs’ high-powered offense, Bieniemy has clearly proven that he is one of the best in the game.
Yes, Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelse, and Tyreek Hill make this easier. But someone has to play composer and maestro to the Chiefs’ orchestra, and Bieniemy is their Amadeus.
Bieniemy has suffered the “Nah, we’re good” treatment from NFL teams, particularly this past offseason when only one Black head coach was signed, David Culley of the Texans, out of seven openings.
It was an infuriating and familiar scenario for Black head coaches, many of whom weren’t given a legitimate shot at a head coaching opportunity despite the Rooney Rule and pressure from elite names like Tony Dungy.
Eric Bieniemy fell victim to that suspect process once again.
But this week his name resurfaced in head coaching discussions.
Only this time it was at the collegiate level in Southern California.
On Monday, USC fired their head coach Clay Helton after an embarrassing 42-28 home loss to Stanford. He was replaced by associate head coach, now interim head coach, Donte Williams.
The LA native is the first Black head football coach in school history.
When the news dropped, Bieniemy’s name immediately surfaced.
You see, USC’s athletic director Mike Bohn had hired Bieniemy as the Colorado Buffaloe’s offensive coordinator in 2011 when he was the AD at Colorado.
Bieniemy, of course, was a star running back for Colorado between 1987 – 1990.
Twitter exploded with “Eric Bieniemy to USC” chatter earlier this week and it doesn’t look like it will be stopping any time soon.
And it shouldn’t.
Eric Bieniemy deserves his shot at being an NFL head coach. He’s proven it with two Super Bowl appearances and one Lombardi trophy.
Obviously, NFL owners are playing themselves and showing that their interest lies in a specific type and look.
Young, offensive-minded coordinators of a lighter shade.
Bieniemy fits the first qualification but not the second.
Yet the USC opportunity should not be considered an afterthought for Bieniemy and his coaching career.
Sometimes in life, you have to take a different route to reach the mountaintop. A route through Southern California is nothing to scoff at.
The search for a new head coach has commenced and Bohn is clear on the process.
“I want to be exceptionally clear: our university and its leadership are committed to winning national championships and restoring USC football to glory,” said Bohn in a statement. “This decision represents our next step toward that goal in what has been a thoughtful and strategic process to build a comprehensive football organization equivalent to the premier programs in the modern landscape.”
If Bohn reconnects with Bieniemy during the process and offers him the Trojans’ head coaching job, he should take it.
He would helm a storied program and have the opportunity to restore it back to its glory days when players like Reggie Bush dominated the gridiron for the Trojans.
Plus, he would be a head coach of a major program.
In that position, Bieniemy could carve out a legacy for himself. Once things go well, he could have another shot at the NFL.
And get paid.
The return path to the pros worked for Pete Carroll and Urban Meyer and it could work for Bieniemy too.
If it doesn’t and Eric Bieniemy remains at USC and rejuvenates a one-time championship program, his football coaching legacy would be secure.
Make the call USC. Please.
