Eric Bieniemy on becoming a head coach: “I’ve always been a patient man”

NFL Network’s Steve Wyche caught up with Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy on the heels of the third annual Quarterback Coaching Summit that took place Monday and Tuesday of this week. The event was held virtually due to complications stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Wyche first asked Bieniemy what he learned over the past two offseasons, as he went through several interview processes to become an NFL head coach.

“You know what Steve? I’ve learned a lot. I’ve learned a lot,” explained Bieniemy. “I’ve gained an enormous amount of information from interviewing from a number of teams. Every interview is different. But I believe that they’re looking for something — they already have an idea of what they want...It’s my job to convince them and sell them on my vision and my philosophy and how I see our organization being run in the future. But one thing I thought — this whole panel (at the virtual summit), they did a great job explaining what they were looking for.”

Despite what has had to be a maddening process for the Chiefs offensive coordinator, he described how he has taken the results in stride.

“I’ve always been a patient man,” Bieniemy told Wyche. “And first of all, let me just share this: I get an opportunity to work with coach Andy Reid, (general manager) Brett Veach, Mark Donovan, our president, and then our owner, Clark Hunt. So I have nothing to worry about. In order to get a job, you got to make sure you’re doing your job, so, I’m blessed and fortunate to be in the situation that I’m in. And on top of that, the only thing I know, Steve, is to grind — and when the timing is right, it will be right. And it has to be a great fit. So, being patient, I have no problem with that. The only thing I know how to do is to continue chopping wood. And everything will work out for the best when it’s all said and done with.”

Wyche then asked Bieniemy about how imperative it would be that he put together a diverse staff when an NFL owner finally does give him an opportunity.

“I do feel diversity is important, but when it’s all said and done with, Steve, you want to make sure you’re getting the right people, that are the right fit for your staff and for your organization,” he said. “On top of that — just like some of the things that were discussed [Tuesday], you want guys that can highlight some of your weaknesses that you may have or certain guys that can handle certain situations a little bit better. You want to have a diversified staff to whereas you’re fulfilling every need — not only of the organization but every need of the players that you’re inheriting.

“So yes. Do I feel it’s important? Yes. But when it’s all said and done with, let’s make sure we get the right people who are the best fit for that particular job.”

If the last two seasons are any indication, the Chiefs should have another successful offensive season in 2020. Like Doug Pederson and Matt Nagy before him, Bieniemy deserves an opportunity to be the head man for an organization.

Here’s to hoping that happens in 2021.