Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy interviewed for six of the NFL's seven head coaching jobs this past offseason. He didn't receive a single offer, for reasons unknown.
But former Chiefs defensive lineman and current podcast host Mike DeVito remains optimistic that Bieniemy will soon be given the opportunity to coach at the highest level. He's capable of leading players on both sides of the ball.
"I can't tell you how many times I went over to him and said, 'Either you've got to teach me how to play running back, or you've got to come over and coach D-line, because I need to learn from you,'" DeVito told The Zach Gelb Show on Wednesday. "'Wherever you're coaching, I want to be there.' He's that kind of coach. And just like Andy Reid, he's the kind of guy you love so much that, you're going out there on Sundays thinking, 'I've got to go put out for him.'
"There's not a lot of coaches in the league where players are thinking about that. EB is one of those coaches where you're thinking, 'Yeah, I've got to go out there and play for EB, because I know he's putting it all-in for me and he's sold out for me.' So, I love him. I think he'd be a fantastic head coach... I think EB will be a fantastic head coach when he gets the opportunity."
Bieniemy, who became offensive coordinator in 2018, has helped guide the Chiefs to consecutive Super Bowl appearances. In the past three seasons, their offense has scored more touchdowns (178) than any other team in the league, and finished top-six in both points and yards.
Since being promoted to offensive coordinator, Bieniemy has only mentored superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes. In 2020, the former league MVP completed 66.3-percent of his passes for 4,740 yards, 38 touchdowns, and just six interceptions. The season didn't end with a championship, however, as the Chiefs' offense was completely shut down in a blowout loss against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Super Bowl 55.
Kansas City will open the 2021 season at home against the Cleveland Browns on Sept. 12. According to the William Hill Sportsbook, the Chiefs currently have the best odds to win the AFC West (-320) and Super Bowl 56 (+500).
The entire Chiefs conversation between DeVito and Gelb can be accessed in the audio player above.
You can follow The Zach Gelb Show on Twitter @ZachGelb and Tom Hanslin @TomHanslin.