Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy addresses USC Trojans vacancy

ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter on Tuesday reported that a new name has emerged as a candidate in the search for a new USC head coach: Kansas City Chiefs’ offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy. And just days after his name surfaced, Bieniemy was asked about the opening — to which he said he’s focused on prep for the Chiefs’ upcoming matchup with the Baltimore Ravens.

“Well you know me — you guys know me. I am where my feet are,” Bieniemy said Thursday in a press conference. “So when it’s all said and down with, I am focused on the task at hand. I’m not worried about anything where my name is being mentioned. My job right now is to make sure that we’re preparing for this weekend’s opponent.”

An alumnus of Colorado, where he played for the Buffaloes, and former second-round pick in the 1991 NFL Draft, Bieniemy began his college coaching career at his alma mater in 2001. He spent two seasons as the Colorado running backs coach (and later, two seasons as the Buffaloes’ offensive coordinator) and three seasons as the UCLA running backs coach, before moving on to NFL coaching roles. Not only would Bieniemy provide Pac-12 familiarity from his time at UCLA, but as Schefter pointed out, Bieniemy is a native of La Puente, California.

In a follow-up question, Bieniemy doubled down on his first answer, declining to provide further comment on the USC Trojans’ coaching vacancy.

“I think you guys know me better than that. So if USC reached out to me right now, my answer would be I am preparing for this team to play against the Baltimore Ravens. And that’s how I roll,” Bieniemy said. “I am where my feet are, OK? My job is to make sure we’re ready to play a complete, sound, 60-minute football game where we can come out and win the game.”

After his early-career roles, Bieniemy spent a few years working assistant coaching roles for the Minnesota Vikings and Chiefs. He was named the Chiefs’ offensive coordinator in 2018.

While with the Chiefs, Bieniemy has built one of the most successful offensive units in the NFL and as a result was named Sporting News Coordinator of the Year in 2020. He won Super Bowl LIV with the Chiefs.

Why Bieniemy’s resume makes sense for USC

Bieniemy was the nation’s leading rusher while playing for the Colorado Buffaloes in 1990, as he tallied 1,628 yards and 17 touchdowns, and he finished third in the Heisman Trophy voting. Colorado was not in the Pac-12 at the time; both his playing experience and coaching experience with the Buffaloes were while they were a member of the Big 12. In 1990, however, he led Colorado to a national championship.

He later returned to coaching at Colorado, where he served as a running backs coach, and held the same position just around the corner from USC, when he served briefly as UCLA’s running backs coach. His second college coaching stop with the Bruins would provide familiarity in the West Coast conference, particularly at a school just around the corner. Furthermore, Bieniemy went to Bishop Amat High School a mere 15 miles away from USC’s campus.

While working at UCLA, Bieniemy helped produce running back Maurice Jones-Drew, who was later named to three Pro Bowls with two first-team All-Pro nominations.

Bieniemy’s resume, however, does not include any head coaching experience. It’s a role he’s never before filled in college or professionally. However, since taking over as the Chiefs’ offensive coordinator, he has built one of the NFL’s greatest offenses.

Bieniemy enters his fourth season as Kansas City’s offensive coordinator, and in 2019 his offense finished in the top-10 in total yards per game (379.2), passing yards per game (281.1), yards per play (6.22) and total points scored (28.2).

Additionally, Bieniemy helped the Chiefs develop generational skill players by reaching milestone marks in a short span of time. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes became the fastest quarterback in NFL history to reach 9,000 passing yards and 75 touchdowns. Tight end Travis Kelce became the quickest tight end to reach 500 receptions and first-ever tight end to record back-to-back 1,200 receiving yard seasons. And wide receiver Tyreek Hill became the fastest wide receiver in Chiefs history to record 4,000 career receiving yards.