Sports + race: KC Chiefs’ Bieniemy discusses ongoing search for NFL head-coaching job

John Feinstein’s latest book, “Raise a Fist, Take a Knee,” examines the role of race in sports. It’s a big topic, and Feinstein goes deep.

The title refers to the raised-fist protests by Tommie Smith and John Carlos on the 1968 Olympic medal stand, as well as the backlash against quarterback Colin Kapernick for taking a knee during the national anthem.

There’s also a section devoted to hiring practices, and that’s where Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy comes in. Feinstein interviews Bieniemy and others about their inability to become NFL head coaches.

Bieniemy is believed to have interviewed for a list of head-coaching vacancies that stretches into double digits. Hehas addressed the topic before, of course, but in this book he expands on the topic and expresses optimism.

“I have to take the approach that those jobs were not supposed to be the job that I get,” Bieniemy says. “I know I’m going to get a job because I know if I keep working at what I do and we continue to have success, sooner or later someone is going to sit in a room with me and say, ‘You’re the guy.’ I just have to be patient.”

Few with Bieniemy’s credentials have been asked to be more patient. He became the Chiefs’ offensive coordinator in Patrick Mahomes’ first year a full-time starting quarterback in the NFL. The Chiefs have been to three straight AFC title games, won a Super Bowl and played in another. Twice in that span the Chiefs led the NFL in total yards.

Head coach Andy Reid is the Chiefs’ primary play-caller, but as Reid and Mahomes remind whenever the topic turns to Bieniemy and job prospects, Bieniemy plays a major role in installing the team’s weekly game plans.

“You know who else didn’t call plays before becoming a head coach?” Bieniemy said. “Coach Reid. Also, Jon Gruden.”

Nor did the two offensive coordinators who came before Bieniemy in Kansas City: Doug Pederson and Matt Nagy. Pederson led the Philadelphia Eagles to a Super Bowl victory in 2017 before being fired after the 2020 season, while Nagy remains head coach of the Chicago Bears.

“That’s a lame excuse,” Mahomes said. “Almost every team with an offensive coach, he calls most of the plays. Coach B is very involved in our game plan all week and during the game. A lot of guys with head-coaching jobs in the NFL right now were never the primary play-caller.

“His time will come and he’ll be a great head coach.”

Other football coaches also take up Bieniemy’s cause.

“Why hasn’t Eric Bieniemy gotten a chance yet,” said Tony Dungy, who won a Super Bowl with the Indianapolis Colts and is now a studio analyst. “I think there is racism involved there. How can there not be, at this point? He works with the best quarterback in the game, who raves about him, and no one is hiring him.”

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach MIke Tomlin calls the ongoing situation unfathomable.

“I have no idea why Eric Bieniemy isnt a head coach,” Tomlin said. “None. It’s unfathomable to me.”

Bieniemy tells Feinstein he’s had “10, maybe 11 job interviews.” According to ESPN, Bieniemy interviewed with five teams after last season, the Falcons, Lions, Jets, Jaguars and Chargers.

“I know when someone is hiring they aren’t just looking for talent, necessarily, or what’s on your resume,” Bieniemy said. “They want to feel comfortable with that person. I haven’t been in too many interviews where the guy interviewing me looked like me.

“Or I guess you could say where I looked like him.”