Eric Bieniemy Is Interviewing for a Head Coaching Position, so Who Could Replace Him as the Offensive Coordinator?
For consecutive years Kansas City Chiefs former running backs coach and current offensive coordinator (Eric Bieniemy) could finally land a head coaching gig but who will replace him?
It’s not breaking news to the Chiefs Kingdom that O.C.E.B could potentially be leading a new franchise next season. Bienemy has been coaching under Head Coach Andy Reid for nine years. Starting in 2013 as the teams running backs coach until being promoted to offensive coordinator prior to the 2018 season.
Under Bieniemy’s leadership, the Chiefs offense flourished with top five finishes in passing and top six in scoring the past four seasons. Going along with his team finish accolades, Bieniemy also has seven playoff wins to add to his name as well as two AFC titles and a Super Bowl Championship.
Bieniemy has been held in high regards by both his players and coaches. As much as the fanbase in K.C would hate to see him go, we would also love to see this man succeed and get his well deserved opportunity as a head coach.
As for the names to replace him, we will dive into that now.
Mike Kafka Could Climb the Ranks within the Chiefs Coaching Tree
With roots firmly planted in the football industry, Coach Mike Kafka has been with the Chiefs since day one rookie Patrick Mahomes, which is why he is listed first on my list of potential successors. Starting his professional career as a quality control coach under Andy Reid, we have watched Kafka work close with Mahomes and help mold him into the player he is today.
Mike Kafka played four years of college football for Northwestern University during the 2005 to 2009 seasons where he eventually went on and entered the NFL. After declaring for the NFL draft, Kafka was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the fourth round. The head coach for the Eagles that season was none other than Coach Andy Reid himself. After spending nearly six years in the NFL playing for multiple different teams, Kafka then left for a coaching job at his former alma mater.
While Kafka didn’t put up the number needed to succeed in the NFL, it was his brains and knowledge of the game that has brought him to the position he is in now. Kafka has had ties to Coach Reid for years and knows what it takes to help lead a team to a championship. He has seen a number of coaches come and go at the Offensive Coordinator position and has multiple mind to pick and models to learn from.
Seeing Kafka take over after Bieniemy would be no surprise to me as we have see Andy stay in house and promote guys from within his coaching system. Not only would it be a a great opportunity for Kafka but the transition of younger coaches moving into bigger roles has been a trend in the NFL. Mike Kafka would keep fluidity within the locker room and allow the Chiefs to stay on course with the current schemes.
Matt Nagy Could Return to the Chiefs after Being a Head Coach
This is one that most Chiefs fans won’t enjoy seeing or like happening after the debacle he had in Chicago but as we all know it is a very likely candidate to happen.
Matt Nagy has roots in KC and ties with Andy as he is only five years removed from previous offensive coordinator job with the Chiefs. During the years of 2013 to 2017, Nagy was the man behind the play sheet for Coach Reid.
Nagy was previously the head coach for the Chicago Bears were he lead them to a 6-11 record this season behind the arm of Andy Dalton and rookie quarterback Justin Fields. During his time in Chicago, Nagy had an overall record of 34-31 just barely floating above .500.
While Nagy had a positive resume coming out of Kansas City, It didn’t take many season for fans and analyst to see the writing on the wall for him this year. Having skeptics of his decision to start Andy Dalton over Justin Fields to start the season followed by his questionable play calling down the road lead to his eventual relief of duties.
Though some may see Nagy as a distant option in KC, the Chiefs will look at him through a different lens. They will see him as the guy who succeed under Coach Reid and was successful and knows the system and playbook. He will be able to come in a adapt immediately to the scheme and they will be able to continue as if he had never left.
Andy has never been shy to support his guys and he is a big advocate of second chances. Nagy could be one of those guys who needs a lesser role to succeed and being an O.C. may just be his niche.
Dave Toub Could Be Promoted from Chiefs Special Teams
This one has been one many thought would have been out of Kansas City for multiple years now. Dave Toub is currently the Chiefs Special Teams Coordinator and Assistant Head Coach.
Toub has been in Kansas City since 2013 under the same title, while gaining the assistant coach title in 2018. During Toubs current career in Kansas City he has finished inside the top ten all but one year (2015) in average kick return yards which also includes three years inside the top five. He has also finished inside the top ten five times in average punt return yardage.
Though you may think, how can a special teams coach make a good head coach? Well while only controlling the specials team, Dave Toub also has to have knowledge of the entire roster with the exception of a position or two. Knowing what player and who can be useful to the team based off of their traits they accel in can factor across the entire roster. A majority of some position player get there start in special teams as well, which leads to bigger team rolls.
Toub has shown he is capable of of handling large tasks and is more than ready to get a crack at leading more than just a specials team unit. He knows the ins and outs of the team as a whole and would make for an interesting shot at helping Andy control the Chiefs high powered offense.
Alex Smith Is Familiar with the Kansas City Chiefs
If Andy took Kafka under his wing following his playing time in Philly, why not take a flier on this Chief legend. Alex Smith , as we all know, will always have his name stamped in the hearts of Kansas City Chiefs fans. He brought this team back from the depths of bad football and gave all us fans hope and a winning culture.
The chances of Andy being able to get Alex Smith to come to Kansas City and run the offense is about a one and a million but how awesome would it be to see this come true. We all know Alex Smith is a student of the game and his knowledge of the sport is astounding.
It has been on record to Andy saying if Alex ever wanted to go into the coaching business that he “has first dibs!” but as for the real possibility of it, well Alex has mentioned himself that his wife would probably not approve of that happening and he has a pretty good gig in its own right now working as an analyst.
In summary, there are many potential candidates who Andy Reid could choose to take over O.C. duties. There could be a way outside the box guy that no one sees coming or it could be one from the possible four mentioned.
No one likes to see anyone lose a good coach like Eric Bieniemy but the guy has more than earned his chance to lead a franchise. Whether that happens this year or not, I wouldn’t be concerned with whoever takes over the potential job opening.