Getty Images Eric Bieniemy will interview for at least two head coaching jobs during the Chiefs first-round bye week.
Let the Eric Bieniemy sweepstakes commence. Again. Again again.
The third-year Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator, who has been the subject of head coaching rumors for the past two years, will officially begin his latest interview tour starting this week during the Chiefs’ first-round playoff bye.
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, and later confirmed by the team, Bieniemy is set to interview virtually with the Atlanta Falcons on Monday. After a disappointing 0-5 open to the season, the NFC South bottom dwellers abruptly fired ex-head coach Dan Quinn and general manager Thomas Dimitroff on October 11.
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Bieniemy Will Also Interview With Lions on Monday
A second report from CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora on Sunday evening also confirmed that Andy Reid’s top offensive assistant is expected to talk to another NFC club in search of a new head coach, the Detroit Lions, later this coming week.
Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer has since confirmed that the virtual interview will also take place on Monday.
Detroit, which relieved Matt Patricia and Bob Quinn of their duties on November 28, is now planning to simultaneously interview and potentially hire for its vacant head coach and general manager positions after previous speculation suggesting they may look to hire one before the other.
As reported on @NFLonFOX , the Lions are simultaneously interviewing HC’s and GM’s. Marvin Lewis has already interviewed for HC job.
Expectation is Darrell Bevell, Eric Bieniemy, and Robert Saleh all will interview for the HC job this week.
On Monday, ESPN’s Adam Schefter also reported that the New York Jets, who fired head coach Adam Gase on Sunday evening, are now in on Bieniemy.
Not surprisingly, the former NFL running back is among a handful of Chiefs staffers garnering looks as a future head coach in the league. Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, passing game coordinator/quarterbacks coach Mike Kafka and, most recently, special teams coordinator/assistant head coach Dave Toub are also in the mix.
Recent Report Suggests Bieniemy’s Suitors Are Limited
While Sunday’s reports suggest otherwise, a recent update from Pro Football Network NFL insider Benjamin Allbright suggested that Bieniemy’s market might include just one serious suitor.
“Currently, I think the head coach favorite for [the] Texans is Eric Bieniemy, despite most other teams in the league not being interested. Houston is doing background on him,” Allbright reported on PFN Weekly on December 22.
The 51-year-old’s pedigree has been polarizing for a number of reasons over the years, but Pro Football Network narrowed Bieniemy’s primary stopping points to poor interviews, some legal issues dating back to the early 1990s and skepticism over his playcalling abilities — or rather a lack thereof as Andy Reid is responsible for that aspect “like 99 percent of the time.”
Last month, Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer was also tied to the Texans’ gig after a “strong recommendation” from the team’s search committee hired to lead the process.
Could Bieniemy Be a Package Deal With GM?
Previous reports have also labeled Bieniemy as a potential “package deal” accompanying ex-Chiefs and Cleveland Browns general manager John Dorsey, should he get another opportunity this time around.
As of early December, the veteran front office executive was expected to interview for Houston’s GM opening, per La Canfora.
As they say, where there’s smoke, there’s fire.
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Chris Licata is an NFL contributor covering the Kansas City Chiefs from enemy territory in Denver, Colorado. Follow him on Twitter @Chris__Licata or join the Heavy on Chiefs Facebook community for the latest out of Chiefs Kingdom!