Eric Bieniemy set for interviews with Carolina Panthers, New York Giants
By Matt Conner
Eric Bieniemy is getting ready for this first two head coaching interviews this year with the Carolina Panthers and New York Giants.
As the Kansas City Chiefs are largely enjoying the week off from football, courtesy of the No. 2 seed and a bye week handed to them by the Miami Dolphins (or was that the New England Patriots), offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy is utilizing his time trying to secure a long-term future with a new team to call his own.
Bieniemy, who has spent the last seven seasons with the Chiefs under head coach Andy Reid‘s tutelage, will have his initial interviews for head coach openings with both the Carolina Panthers and New York Giants this week on Thursday and Saturday, respectively.
Reid has been publicly pushing for Bieniemy to get a real shot at a head coaching position, stating that he believes his offensive coordinator is plenty ready for the challenge. Bieniemy comes with two years as Reid’s offensive right hand and five years as the team’s running backs coach before that—working with acclaimed backs like Jamaal Charles and Kareem Hunt and helping to coach up hidden gems like Spencer Ware, Charcandrick West, Damien Williams and more.
Bieniemy was first noticed as a potential head coach last season when he drew interest from four teams, including the New York Jets. Ultimately, however, he was passed over in every single instance and returned to K.C. for another year. It’s possible it happens again due to the number of limited openings this season, but Bieniemy is, at the very least, making the rounds as one of the most popular candidates of the offseason (for non-playoff teams).
The Cleveland Browns have also asked for permission to interview Bieniemy so even if these early interviews don’t proceed as hoped, there’s still a chance further openings could open up. The Dallas Cowboys have also not made any decision on Jason Garrett official just yet, so one team has yet to even begin their interview process (if it even happens).