It has been almost a week since the New York Jets fired Adam Gase as head coach, and the lineup for his replacement is coming together. The team looks to embark upon a new era, and leave the embarrassment of the past two years behind. Specifically, they need to hire a coach that will bring an entire culture shift to Gang Green. And that’s where Eric Bieniemy enters the picture.
General manager Joe Douglas spoke this past week to the media about the head coach search. Douglas said how he is “looking for a great partner.” That means Douglas is looking for someone he will be working alongside, rather than competing for control with. He adds that the team is going to “cast a very wide net,” in the search. The team is also not looking for a guy specialized in one aspect of the game. Rather “a person with high integrity, outstanding leadership skills, and communication skills.” In other words, the Jets want to build this team up and bring in someone who can give them that winning mindset. And nobody may be better suited for that than Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinatorEric Bieniemy.
Eric Bieniemy Could Be Destined To Be the New York Jets Next Head Coach
Interest From Both Sides
Bieniemy actually has significant interest in taking the Jets job. In fact, another former Colorado alumni in WEEI’s Christian Fauria spoke Friday afternoon about how Bieniemy does not want the Houston Texans job, and would rather become the next head coach of the New York Jets. Bieniemy was one of the first candidates to whom the Jets contacted and the first to interview for the job. In addition, the two sides have a history, as the Jets flew out to interview him prior to hiring Gase in 2018. Except, at the time, the Jets were concerned over Bieniemy’s lack of play-calling experience, since Andy Reid largely calls the plays in Kansas City.
Two years later, the Jets are right back in the same spot as they once again need a new head coach. They need a coach who can reinvent the team and build it up alongside Douglas. And Bieniemy’s background makes him a strong candidate to do exactly that.
Strong Resume
He may not be the person who is actually calling the plays, but Bieniemy is the mastermind behind the Chiefs historic offenses. He has capitalized on the talents of his players, and utilizes them in the correct roles to help them and the team succeed. Specifically, Bieniemy uses the speed of Tyreek Hill, the arm of Patrick Mahomes, and the middle-of-the-field ability of Travis Kelce. Bienemy has done a phenomenal job scheming the offense for success, and it has rarely been stopped.
Bieniemy has been with the Chiefs since 2013 when he started with them as their running backs coach until his promotion to offensive coordinator prior to 2018. He also spent 2006-2010 as the running backs coach of the Minnesota Vikings and held offensive positions at the college level from 2001-2005, and 2011-2012.
Leadership Ability
Bieniemy has the respect of the whole league, and especially within the Chiefs organization. Even Reid speaks about how he has “not seen many guys that are as great a leader as he is of men.” If Reid’s endorsement is not enough, his MVP quarterback, Mahomes, mirrors his regards, noting how Bieniemy can control a room and hold everyone to a certain standard. That is the type of man the Jets desperately need.
Bieniemy has now gone two straight seasons where he was passed over for open head coaching jobs. But, he has simply been able to brush it off and focus on the job at hand, running the powerhouse that is the Kansas City Chiefs offense.
Last Word
There are certainly a handful of other strong head coaching candidates for the Jets to consider. And they should make sure they do everything they can to make sure they make the correct decision, given their poor past choices at the position. The known market of available head coaches is Matt Eberflus, Arthur Smith, Brian Daboll, Brandon Staley, Aaron Glenn, Robert Saleh, and Marvin Lewis, all of who have strong resumes for the job.
But Eric Bieniemy might just be the man to bring professionalism, leadership, and a winning culture back to the New York Jets.
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