Bears hire Eric Bieniemy as new running backs coach |
Everyone knew that Ben Johnson's goal when assembling his staff was to find the right fit and some of the most respected and experienced coaches. Adding Dennis Allen certainly fell under those guidelines, as did the rest of his staff. However, his most recent hire not only shocked the world but is also a very intriguing hire, given his past success.
In case you missed it, former Kansas City Chiefs and Washington Commanders offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy is officially back in the NFL and has been named the Chicago Bears' running backs coach. The two-time Super Bowl champion will bring experience to the Johnson staff and the championship DNA that every team is looking for. Following his time in the NFL, Bieniemy took his talents to the NCAA, where he joined the UCLA Bruins as their offensive coordinator and assistant head coach. He also worked in the recruiting department and aimed to help UCLA get back on the map. Not only did that not happen, but the Bruins struggled last season, which saw Bieniemy resign from his position and search for work again. It took a bit longer than he expected, but Bieniemy is officially back in the NFL and will arguably give the Bears the best running backs coach. Seeing him land with the Bears may shock some, but in case you forgot, the Bears had a strong interest in naming Bieniemy their offensive coordinator before he went to Washington. Although a deal was never reached, Ryan Poles and the Bears front office clearly respected Bieniemy. He was offered a new position on a new staff and took it. Bieniemy has a long coaching history filled with success and was seen as an offensive mastermind during his play-calling days with the Chiefs. Although that success didn't translate to the college level, he also had an excellent showing in Washington during the 2023 season, as every offense he has worked with has produced. Even if coaching the running backs is his primary job, he will be able to give Declan Doyle some offensive input, as his knowledge is something every team could use. While Bieniemy may be best known as an offensive coordinator, he has had plenty of success as a running backs coach, which is how he got his start in the coaching ranks. That journey started with the Minnesota Vikings in 2006, where he was the team's running backs coach from 2006 to 2010 before also taking on the assistant head coach title in 2010. Some credit Bieniemy with Adrian Peterson's success in his first couple of seasons, and the Bears hope that knowledge will also show up for D'Andre Swift. After leaving the Vikings, Bieniemy became an offensive coordinator at the University of Colorado before returning to the NFL as part of Andy Reid's staff in Kansas City. Like Minnesota, Bieniemy was the Chiefs' running backs coach for several years before again being named the offensive coordinator, and the rest is history. While Bieniemy may have come under fire in recent seasons due to his struggles last season and his inability to pass head coaching interviews, you can't knock out his success, especially when you look at what he did with the Chiefs. After Matt Nagy took the Bears job in 2018, Bieniemy was immediately appointed offensive coordinator in KC. Over the next five seasons, Bieniemy reached three Superbowls, winning two of them, and helped Patrick Mahomes put up the best numbers of his career. That isn't to say he isn't good now, but he isn't nearly as good as he once was. Much of that concerns the weapons around him more than anything. Even if Bieniemy never becomes an offensive coordinator again, having him as your running backs coach is a massive home run for Johnson. He is one of the best at his job, knows how to win, and will hold every one on the offensive side of the ball accountable, which is what this team needs.
