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 proper now isn’t in my thought course of,” Bieniemy stated Thursday. “What I am targeted on is being the perfect coach right now; every part else will care for itself. I stay within the second. Proper now my toes are planted right here.”
Bieniemy was a part of two Tremendous Bowl championships throughout his 5 seasons because the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs’ offensive coordinator. Throughout that point, he interviewed with 15 completely different groups for head-coaching positions and did not land a job.
Editor’s Picks
2 Associated
“It hasn’t occurred. It isn’t something that is going to influence me shifting ahead,” Bieniemy stated. “All that stuff about being the pinnacle coach, we are able to speak about that subsequent yr someday. I am targeted on the job at hand.”
His lack of ability to land a head-coaching job has change into a focus of offseason discussions for a number of years. “Everyone’s entitled to their very own stance and their very own positioning,” Bieniemy stated. “My job is to remove all of the distractions. I can not fear concerning the issues I can not management.
“I do not get down. I do not let any alternative take me down. My job is to create the required vitality.”
In Washington, he’ll have full management over the offense — one thing he didn’t have in Kansas Metropolis, the place coach Andy Reid was the first playcaller. Bieniemy, whose contract was up with the Chiefs after this previous season, possible might have returned to Kansas Metropolis in the identical position. However he opted to take the job with Washington, a group that has not completed higher than sixteenth in passing yards or factors since 2016.
The franchise is also up on the market and, with Rivera coming into his fourth season proudly owning a 22-27-1 file, there might be strain to have a successful season.
When requested why he wished to come back to Washington, Bieniemy was prepared with a fast retort. “Why not Washington?” Bieniemy stated.
He then seemed on the entrance row of the auditorium the place notable Commanders gamers sat: receiver Terry McLaurin, working backs Brian Robinson and Antonio Gibson, quarterback Sam Howell and tight finish Logan Thomas.
“Take a look at all of the expertise,” Bieniemy stated. “I am 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 employed Bieniemy after interviewing seven candidates to exchange Scott Turner, who was fired shortly after the season. Rivera stated it wasn’t till he had gone by way of per week or so of interviews that the potential of hiring Bieniemy entered his thoughts. However he needed to wait till the Chiefs’ season ended.
He interviewed Bieniemy 4 days after the Tremendous Bowl victory and employed him the next day. Bieniemy stated it helped that he has recognized Rivera since 1999, when he was a participant with the Philadelphia Eagles and Rivera was an assistant coach. He additionally is aware of basic supervisor Martin Mayhew and appreciated that president Jason Wright grew up in the identical space in California. Bieniemy has different ties to the group that helped promote him.
Rivera stated he felt “very lucky” to land Bieniemy. And, he stated, he understood what Bieniemy has gone by way of together with his head-coaching pursuit.
“I can empathize as a result of I went by way of the identical factor,” Rivera stated. “I interviewed eight, 9 instances earlier than I received my alternative. I do know it is the identical factor for him. Ultimately he will get that chance.” Rivera additionally appreciated Bieniemy’s vitality and the way he plans to make use of Washington’s playmakers — notably McLaurin and fellow broad receivers Jahan Dotson and Curtis Samuel.
“That is the most important factor we wish on this offense is to be explosive, to be aggressive and to be complementary but additionally have an id,” McLaurin stated. “He brings the competitiveness. He brings the championship caliber. I am excited to get to work with him.”
Howell echoed that sentiment.
“[The Chiefs have] been an explosive offense and arguably the perfect offense within the league since he is been there,” Howell stated. “They did a extremely good job in Kansas Metropolis of realizing learn how to use their guys so I am excited for that.”
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes tweeted his assist of Bieniemy on Thursday.
“There must be no questions on how nice of a person/coach Coach Bienemy is,” he wrote. “His management has a direct influence on the participant/particular person i’m right now! 10+ years studying beneath one of many biggest coaches of all time.. and that i can’t look ahead to him to proceed to show doubters fallacious!”
For Bieniemy, it was tough to go away the Chiefs after 10 seasons. However, he stated, it was time. By the point the aircraft landed in Kansas Metropolis after the Tremendous Bowl win Bieniemy stated he knew his time there was over.
“We have had a substantial amount of success. I used to be blessed and lucky to have that chance and share that house with some wonderful folks,” Bieniemy stated. “However one factor on this occupation, you study that consolation is the enemy of progress. So, when it is all stated and completed with, I do not like being snug. I am about accepting challenges and shifting ahead. This presents a problem to me.”
