Kansas City Chiefs OC Eric Bieniemy has already completed interviews with two NFC teams in the Atlanta Falcons and the Detroit Lions.
Now an AFC West team that Bieniemy is very familiar with has requested an interview. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Los Angeles Chargers have requested an interview with Bieniemy. This comes a day after ownership fired former Chargers HC Anthony Lynn, who had been the head coach of the franchise since 2017.
Chiefs fans will be quick to dismiss the attempt by Los Angeles to lure away their OC for a head-coaching job, but Bieniemy does have ties to the area and the team. Bieniemy was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in 1991 and played with them through 1994. He also grew up in Los Angeles county and played high school football in the area. He coached at UCLA before making his way to the NFL for the first time in Minnesota.
The #Chargers have requested an interview with #Chiefs OC Eric Bieniemy, per source. The #Falcons, #Lions and #Jets are also expected to interview the prime candidate.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) January 5, 2021
Coaching in the AFC West since 2013, Bieniemy has a strong familiarity with the franchise and vice versa. He’s also seen what rookie QB Justin Herbert is capable of firsthand. This should be a strong option for Bieniemy as disheartening as it’d be for fans in Kansas City.
On the other hand, Fox 4 Kansas City Sports Anchor Harold R. Kuntz had some interesting statistics to offer if Bieniemy did happen to take the Chargers job.
If EB heads to a division rival, there’s this … Andy Reid is 14-6 against former members of his staff. 2-0 this season (Harbaugh/McDermott) https://t.co/jttO4ryYV8
— Harold R. Kuntz (@HaroldRKuntz3) January 5, 2021
Chiefs HC Andy Reid apparently has a winning record against his former assistant coaches, so that’d be a potential silver lining to this situation. Still, you’d hate to see Bieniemy go to a team within the division with a rising star at the quarterback position.
