Eric Bieniemy passed over for opportunity to be Saints head coach

On Sunday, the New Orleans Saints conducted their first interview with Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy. Reports said the conversation lasted eight hours and gave hopes that such a thorough discussion might lead to good news for the Chiefs offensive coordinator.

It turns out the length of the interview didn’t matter at all, as the Saints went ahead and promoted Dennis Allen to head coach following Sean Payton’s decision to walk away.

On Thursday, news broke that Allen was the preferred choice, via NFL reporter Adam Schefter. That officially closed the book on any head coaching opening for Bieniemy once again—a fourth consecutive year for EB.

Eric Bieniemy has been left out of head coaching carousel once again.

Bieniemy had one other interview this year amid numerous head coaching openings. The Denver Broncos extended him an opportunity but settled on Green Bay Packers assistant coach Nathaniel Hackett instead.

In previous seasons, Bieniemy has interviewed for seemingly half or more of all NFL franchises including twice with teams like the New York Jets since 2019. Somehow he has yet to catch on despite a sustained record of success with the Chiefs and glowing references from his boss, Andy Reid, as well as his players.

Allen was already a head coach in the NFL with the Oakland Raiders and went 8-28 in three seasons from 2012-2014. After he was fired by the Raiders, Allen has been a defensive coach and then coordinator with the Saints ever since.

Bieniemy will now return his focus to the Chiefs offseason as he begins his fifth year as offensive coordinator since taking over the position from Matt Nagy.