3: 06 PM ET
John Keim ESPN Staff Writer
- Covered the Redskins for the Washington Examiner and other media outlets because 1994
- Authored or co-authored 3 books on the Redskins and one on the Cleveland Browns
ASHBURN, Va.– New Washington Commanders offending planner Eric Bieniemy made it clear throughout his opening press conference that he’s not concentrated on utilizing this position to land a head-coaching task.
Washington worked with Bieniemy recently to renew an offense that has actually had a hard time in coach Ron Rivera’s very first 3 seasons.
” Being a head coach today is not in my idea procedure,” Bieniemy stated Thursday. “What I’m concentrated on is being the very best coach today; whatever else will look after itself. I reside in the minute. Now my feet are planted here.”
Bieniemy belonged to 2 Super Bowl champions throughout his 5 seasons as the Kansas City Chiefs’ offending organizer. Throughout that time, he talked to with 15 various groups for head-coaching positions and stopped working to land a task.
” It hasn’t occurred. It’s nothing that’s going to affect me moving on,” Bieniemy stated. “All that pack about being the head coach, we can speak about that next year at some point. I’m concentrated on the task at hand.”
His failure to land a head-coaching task has actually ended up being a centerpiece of offseason conversations for numerous years. “Everybody’s entitled to their own position and their own positioning,” Bieniemy stated. “My task is to get rid of all the diversions. I can’t fret about the important things I can’t manage.
” I do not come down. I do not let any chance take me down. My task is to develop the required energy.”
In Washington, he’ll have complete control over the offense– something he did not have in Kansas City, where coach Andy Reid was the main playcaller. Bieniemy, whose agreement was up with the Chiefs after this previous season, most likely might have gone back to Kansas City in the very same function. He chose to take the task with Washington, a group that has not complete much better than 16 th in passing lawns or points given that 2016.
The franchise likewise is up for sale and, with Rivera entering his 4th season owning a 22-27 -1 record, there will be pressure to have a winning season.
When asked why he wished to concern Washington, Bieniemy was all set with a fast retort. “Why not Washington?” Bieniemy stated.
He then took a look at the front row of the auditorium where significant Commanders gamers sat: receiver Terry McLaurin, running backs Brian Robinson and Antonio Gibson, quarterback Sam Howell and tight end Logan Thomas
” Look at all the skill,” Bieniemy stated. “I’m thrilled about this chance. I believe about what they’re developing here. I have actually never ever pulled back from an obstacle.”
Washington worked with Bieniemy after talking to 7 prospects to change Scott Turner, who was fired quickly after the season. Rivera stated it wasn’t till he had actually gone through a week or two of interviews that the possibility of working with Bieniemy entered his mind. He had to wait till the Chiefs’ season ended.
He talked to Bieniemy 4 days after the Super Bowl triumph and employed him the following day. Bieniemy stated it assisted that he has actually understood Rivera given that 1999, when he was a gamer with the Philadelphia Eagles and Rivera was an assistant coach. He likewise understands basic supervisor Martin Mayhew and liked that president Jason Wright matured in the exact same location in California. Bieniemy has other ties to the company that assisted offer him.
Rivera stated he felt “really lucky” to land Bieniemy. And, he stated, he comprehended what Bieniemy has actually gone through with his head-coaching pursuit.
” I can understand due to the fact that I went through the exact same thing,” Rivera stated. “I talked to 8, 9 times prior to I got my chance. I understand it’s the very same thing for him. Ultimately he’s going to get that chance.” Rivera likewise liked Bieniemy’s energy and how he prepares to utilize Washington’s playmakers– especially McLaurin and fellow pass receivers Jahan Dotson and Curtis Samuel
” That’s the greatest thing we desire in this offense is to be explosive, to be aggressive and to be complementary however likewise have an identity,” McLaurin stated. “He brings the competitiveness. He brings the champion quality. I’m thrilled to get to deal with him.”
Howell echoed that belief.
” [The Chiefs have] been an explosive offense and perhaps the very best offense in the league because he’s existed,” Howell stated. “They did a truly excellent task in Kansas City of understanding how to utilize their people so I’m thrilled for that.”
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes tweeted his assistance of Bieniemy on Thursday.
” There ought to be no concerns on how fantastic of a man/coach Coach Bienemy is,” he composed “His management has a direct effect on the player/person i am today! 10+ years discovering under among the best coaches of perpetuity. and i can not await him to continue to show skeptics incorrect!”
For Bieniemy, it was tough to leave the Chiefs after 10 seasons. He stated, it was time. By the time the airplane landed in Kansas City after the Super Bowl win Bieniemy stated he understood his time there was over.
” We’ve had a lot of success. I was blessed and lucky to have that chance and share that area with some incredible individuals,” Bieniemy stated. “But something in this occupation, you discover that convenience is the opponent of development. When it’s all stated and done with, I do not like being comfy. I’m about accepting obstacles and moving on. This provides an obstacle to me.”