Who Becomes a HC First: Eric Bieniemy or Steve Spagnuolo? – PART I

Who Becomes a HC First: Eric Bieniemy or Steve Spagnuolo? – PART I – This is a question that comes up in various circles around the chat rooms, fan pages, from pundits and those who want more racial diversity in head coaching positions, and inevitably, the “Rooney Rule” usually comes up. I like everything I have been able to discover about Eric Bieniemy, and I have a great deal of respect for him, and so the question is, who will be hired first? Eric Bieniemy or Steve Spagnuolo. Read on to discover my view on this. First, let’s cover the Offensive Coordinator.

Chiefs Offensive Coordinator – Eric Bieniemy

Bieniemy will be a New Head Coach in 2021… this will happen! A look at OC Eric Bieniemy and the potential of being named a head coach has come up periodically since late 2019. After the 2019 season was completed, Bieniemy had two job interviews that I know more about, one was with the Carolina Panthers and the other team was the New York Giants. A third possibility existed in that the Cleveland Browns had also dismissed their HC.

The Thursday after New Years, Bieniemy met with the Panthers and two days later he met with the Giants. As it turned out, Cleveland had also requested an interview and this was all during the Playoff Bye week following New Years, and as it turned out that Eric Interviewed with all three teams.

On January 9, in his presser before the playoffs began, Bieniemy fielded questions from the press:

“I had the opportunity to interview with three teams… I had a great process, a great discussion. Each and every interview is different. And now, at the end of the day my focus is turned on to the Houston Texans…. It’s a blessing, it’s always great to be mentioned. It’s great to have the opportunity to be considered in those roles, but when it’s all said and done with, I work for a great organization, a great boss, I work for a great owner and on top of that, we’ve got some great people in this building.”

Questions were reiterated and Bieniemy replied: “I had a great opportunity and that should say it all.”

From that point on, Eric, who field questions with a big grin and jovial attitude turned attention to what was happening “today.” Bieniemy handles the press like a pro. He is focused, articulate and ready for the next level. I enjoy watching segments of the Chiefs press conferences when Mr. Bieniemy is fielding questions.

By the time the above Press Conference occurred on the January 9, only the Cleveland Browns job was still open. Bieniemy deflected all attention to the possibility that he might depart as a head coach and focused his attention and his answers to the upcoming game with the Texans. He handled the press adroitly, gave them the basic answers. He had interviews, and then turned to being focused for the Texans’ game. He said: “I have a way of ignoring everyone [when he is preparing for a game]… I turn my phones off.” He then has a hearty laugh. He goes on to say, “At the end of the day, that’s who I am!”

Bieniemy then observed, and I paraphrase: if you want to be successful, you need to be focused on the here and now. I learned this as a player and the now right now is the game coming up versus the Texans. In December, before the week 16 game, Eric Bieniemy addressed a question about Matt Nagy, who had become the HC for the Bears. Bieniemy stated that Nagy told him he was ready and to just put his stamp on it (the offense).

In June of 2020, Bieniemy answered questions from Steve Wyche for NFL.com about head coaching opportunities. He explained that he expected to get his opportunity when the “Timing is right.”

“I’ve always been a patient man…I get an opportunity to work with coach Andy Reid, [general manager] Brett Veach, Mark Donovan our president and then our owner Clark Hunt. I have nothing to worry about. In order to get a job, you gotta make sure you’re doing your job. So, I’m blessed and fortunate to be in the situation that I’m in. And on top of that, the only thing I know Steve, is the grind. And when the timing is right, it will be right. And it has to be a great fit. So, being patient, I have no problem with that. The only thing I know how to do is keep chopping wood. And everything will work out for the best when it’s all said and done.”

Eric was also asked about the opportunities coming up. He explained to Wyche that he had learned a lot from the interview process and what he needs to do the next time the chance comes up.

“I’ve learned a lot. I’ve learned a lot. I’ve gained an enormous amount of information from interviewing from a number of teams…Every interview is different. I believe that they’re looking for something; they already have an idea of what they want. It’s my job as the interview – the guy that’s going in to interview for the job – it’s my job to convince them and sell them on my vision and my philosophy and how I see our organization being run in the future.”

Is Eric Bieniemy ready to be a HC? You dang Betcha! Not only that, but Eric was a “Competitive Prick” as a Running Back and now he the same can be said of him on the sidelines as a coach.

When watching game film, I always pay attention to what is going on with the Offensive and Defensive Coordinators. I can tell when he is on camera that he is deeply involved on the sidelines and in the calling of plays as well as communicating with Patrick Mahomes and other players.

I know that Bieniemy is intimately involved with coaching the offense, the players and his interface with HC Andy Reid is top notch. What remains is for a team who wants to have the dynamism of Bieniemy and the type of offense he will bring to a new table, to make the decision and go forth.

I like Steve Spagnuolo very much as well. He has taken a shabby defense and moved it up to a top 10 category or better unit. I’ll cover Steve Spagnuolo in: “Who Becomes a HC First: Eric Bieniemy or Steve Spagnuolo? – PART I”

David Bell – ArrowheadOne

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