Eric Bieniemy – Focus on Commanders, not head-coach jobs

ASHBURN, Va. — New Washington Commanders offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy made it clear throughout his opening information convention that he is not targeted on utilizing this place to land a head-coaching job.

Washington employed Bieniemy final week to rejuvenate an offense that has struggled in coach Ron Rivera’s first three seasons.

“Being a head coach right now is not in my thought process,” Bieniemy stated Thursday. “What I’m focused on is being the best coach today; everything else will take care of itself. I live in the moment. Right now my feet are planted here.”

Bieniemy was a part of two Super Bowl championships throughout his 5 seasons because the Kansas City Chiefs’ offensive coordinator. During that point, he interviewed with 15 totally different groups for head-coaching positions and didn’t land a job.

“It hasn’t happened. It’s not anything that’s going to impact me moving forward,” Bieniemy stated. “All that stuff about being the head coach, we can talk about that next year sometime. I’m focused on the job at hand.”

His incapability to land a head-coaching job has turn into a focus of offseason discussions for a number of years. “Everybody’s entitled to their own stance and their own positioning,” Bieniemy stated. “My job is to eliminate all the distractions. I can’t worry about the things I can’t control.

“I do not get down. I do not let any alternative take me down. My job is to create the mandatory vitality.”

In Washington, he’ll have full control over the offense — something he did not have in Kansas City, where coach Andy Reid was the primary playcaller. Bieniemy, whose contract was up with the Chiefs after this past season, likely could have returned to Kansas City in the same role. But he opted to take the job with Washington, a team that has not finished better than 16th in passing yards or points since 2016.

The franchise also is up for sale and, with Rivera entering his fourth season owning a 22-27-1 record, there will be pressure to have a winning season.

When asked why he wanted to come to Washington, Bieniemy was ready with a quick retort. “Why not Washington?” Bieniemy stated.

He then looked at the front row of the auditorium where notable Commanders players sat: receiver Terry McLaurin, running backs Brian Robinson and Antonio Gibson, quarterback Sam Howell and tight end Logan Thomas.

“Look in any respect the expertise,” Bieniemy said. “I’m enthusiastic about this chance. I’ve little doubt about what they’re constructing right here. I’ve by no means backed down from a problem.”

Washington hired Bieniemy after interviewing seven candidates to replace Scott Turner, who was fired shortly after the season. Rivera said it wasn’t until he had gone through a week or so of interviews that the possibility of hiring Bieniemy entered his mind. But he had to wait until the Chiefs’ season ended.

He interviewed Bieniemy four days after the Super Bowl victory and hired him the following day. Bieniemy said it helped that he has known Rivera since 1999, when he was a player with the Philadelphia Eagles and Rivera was an assistant coach. He also knows general manager Martin Mayhew and liked that president Jason Wright grew up in the same area in California. Bieniemy has other ties to the organization that helped sell him.

Rivera said he felt “very lucky” to land Bieniemy. And, he said, he understood what Bieniemy has gone through with his head-coaching pursuit.

“I can empathize as a result of I went by the identical factor,” Rivera said. “I interviewed eight, 9 occasions earlier than I obtained my alternative. I do know it is the identical factor for him. Eventually he’ll get that chance.” Rivera also liked Bieniemy’s energy and how he plans to use Washington’s playmakers — notably McLaurin and fellow wide receivers Jahan Dotson and Curtis Samuel.

“That’s the largest factor we wish on this offense is to be explosive, to be aggressive and to be complementary but in addition have an identification,” McLaurin said. “He brings the competitiveness. He brings the championship caliber. I’m excited to get to work with him.”

Howell echoed that sentiment.

“[The Chiefs have] been an explosive offense and arguably the most effective offense within the league since he is been there,” Howell said. “They did a extremely good job in Kansas City of realizing the way to use their guys so I’m excited for that.”

Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes tweeted his support of Bieniemy on Thursday.

“There ought to be no questions on how nice of a person/coach Coach Bienemy is,” he wrote. “His management has a direct impression on the participant/individual i’m as we speak! 10+ years studying below one of many biggest coaches of all time.. and that i can not await him to proceed to show doubters unsuitable!”

For Bieniemy, it was difficult to leave the Chiefs after 10 seasons. But, he said, it was time. By the time the plane landed in Kansas City after the Super Bowl win Bieniemy said he knew his time there was over.

“We’ve had quite a lot of success. I used to be blessed and lucky to have that chance and share that area with some superb individuals,” Bieniemy said. “But one factor on this career, you study that consolation is the enemy of progress. So, when it is all stated and accomplished with, I do not like being snug. I’m about accepting challenges and transferring ahead. This presents a problem to me.”