NY Giants: Get to know HC candidate Eric Bieniemy

As part of their thorough search for a new head coach, the NY Giants plan on interviewing Eric Bieniemy as a potential candidate for the position.

The NY Giants have requested the right to interview current Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy as part of their search for a new head coach of the organization. Bieniemy has been an oft-mentioned name to become a head coach in the NFL, given the level of success that the Kansas City Chiefs have had on offense in recent years.

Bieniemy was a second-round draft pick in 1991 by the San Diego Chargers. He would play running back for the organization from 1991-1994 before signing with the Cincinnati Bengals. He would play three years with the Bengals before signing with the Philadelphia Eagles. He would play the1999 season with the Eagles before retiring from the league.

In 2001, Bieniemy began his coaching career as the running backs coach for the University of Colorado, where he would serve from 2001-2002. In 2003, he would take the same role with UCLA, coaching the Bruins running backs for three seasons.

Bieniemy then got his first opportunity to coach in the NFL when he was named running backs coach for the Minnesota Vikings in 2006. During his time with the Vikings, Bieniemy would coach the great Adrian Peterson, who would win Rookie of the Year in 2007, lead the league in rushing in 2008, lead the NFL in rushing touchdowns in 2009, while being named as a first-team All-Pro in 2008 and 2009, a second-team All-Pro in 2007 and 2010 and a Pro Bowl in every year that Bieniemy was his running backs coach.

Bieniemy left the Vikings to return to the University of Colorado, this time as their offensive coordinator. He would serve in this role with the university during the 2011 and 2012 seasons.

Following his time at Colorado, Bieniemy returned to the NFL with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2013, as the running backs coach for the team. He would serve in this role from 2013-2017, coaching Jamaal Charles to an NFL rushing touchdown title in 2013, along with a first-team All-Pro nomination and a Pro Bowl appearance in both 2013 and 2014.

In 2017, Bieniemy would coach running back Kareem Hunt to a Rookie of the Year award, the NFL rushing title, and a Pro Bowl selection. The Chiefs would miss the playoffs only one year with Bieniemy as the running backs coach.

In 2018, Bieniemy got his biggest break yet, as he was promoted to the role of offensive coordinator after Matt Nagy accepted the head coaching position with the Chicago Bears. The Chiefs would lead the league in total yards on offense during Bieniemy’s first year as offensive coordinator and quarterback Patrick Mahomes, tight end Travis Kelce, wide receiver Tyreek Hill, fullback Anthony Sherman and tackle Eric Fisher would all be named Pro Bowlers under Bieniemy’s offense.  In addition, Mahomes would win the NFL MVP award in 2018, becoming the first player in Chiefs franchise history to do so.

The Chiefs went on to have a 12-4 record in 2018 but would fall 37-31 to the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship game. In 2019, they would go 12-4 again with Bieniemy as their offensive coordinator and would win the AFC West. The Chiefs would also rank third in total offense for the 2019 regular season.

The level of success that running backs have had under Bieniemy as their tutor, coupled with the immense success that offenses have had with him as their offensive coordinator have made Bieniemy a top coaching candidate in the NFL.

Some question if the success that has been had under Bieniemy is a product of his coaching ability or the level of talent that has surrounded him throughout his coaching career. It should be noted that Bieniemy took over a 6th rated offense from Nagy in 2018. However, he has improved upon their success.

Having an offensive-minded coach may be appealing to NY Giants management, given the number of offensive weapons at their disposal. However, given the lack of success from their previous two head coaches, Ben McAdoo and Pat Shurmur, both offensive-minded coaches, it may serve as a deterrent to hiring Bieniemy.

Regardless, the fact that Giants ownership is seeking coaching candidates of all walks serves as a positive sign to Giants fans. Bieniemy certainly has a track record of success that makes him a viable candidate for a head coaching position in the NFL. He also has the ringing endorsement of his head coach, Andy Reid, who has been one of the most successful coaches in NFL history.

It will be interesting to see how the coaching search ends for the NY Giants, but Bieniemy will certainly garner strong consideration for the position from New York’s management group.