Now calling plays for the Washington Commanders after winning two Super Bowls with the Kansas City Chiefs, Eric Bieniemy is bringing a refreshing accountability and winning attitude to the talented but youthful offense.
After finishing near the bottom of the NFL in nearly every offensive statistical category, Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera fired offensive coordinator Scott Turner at the conclusion of the 2022 campaign, replacing him with Eric Bieniemy.
Bieniemy has consistently been viewed as a potential head coaching candidate for various NFL vacancies over the last few seasons, ultimately deciding on Washington as his preferred destination to prove his mettle away from the shadows of Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes.
Washington's enthusiastic new play-caller will look to develop 2022 fifth-round pick Sam Howell into the Commanders' potential franchise quarterback, while infusing elements of Kansas City's explosive offense to best suit his new versatile group of playmakers.
Backed by a championship pedigree as both a player and coach, Bieniemy is already making his presence felt in the nation's capitol, bringing an undeniable energy to the Commanders in 2023.
Before preparations gather pace, we took a deep dive into Bieniemy's past and how it could help Washington enter a prosperous future next season and potentially beyond.
Who is Eric Bieniemy?
Eric Bieniemy was a high school All-American running back in California before committing to play at the University of Colorado. He earned a starting role for the Buffaloes as a true freshman before earning all-conference honors as a sophomore, rushing for more than 1,200 yards with 10 touchdowns during the 1988 season.
The bruising back rose to stardom as a senior in 1990, winning the Big Eight Conference Offensive Player of the Year award and finishing third in the Heisman Trophy voting for good measure.
In a spectacular season to remember, the unanimous All-American rushed for more than 1,600 yards and 17 scores. Bieniemy also led Colorado to a national championship and an 11-1-1 record with an Orange Bowl win over Notre Dame.
After finishing his collegiate career as the program's all-time leader in rushing yards, rushing touchdowns, and all-purpose yards, the former Heisman finalist was selected by the then-San Diego Chargers in the second round of the 1991 NFL Draft.
Bieniemy played for nine seasons in the NFL, used mostly as a backup change-of-pace option and return specialist for the Chargers, Cincinnati Bengals, and Philadelphia Eagles. His playing days ended with his retirement in 1999.
Eric Bieniemy's early coaching career
Eric Bieniemy began his coaching journey in 2000, securing his first job as an assistant football coach at Thomas Jefferson High School in Denver.
He went on to become the running backs coach at the University of Colorado the following year, also finishing his degree in sociology while working as an assistant in Boulder during the 2001 and 2002 seasons.
From 2003 to 2005, Bieniemy worked as the running backs coach at UCLA and was also the team's recruiting coordinator during his final year with the program. After the Bruins' 2005 Sun Bowl win, he accepted a role to join the Minnesota Vikings as running backs coach.
During his time with the Vikings, future Pro Football Hall of Fame running back Adrian Peterson twice led the NFC in rushing, topping the entire NFL with 1,760 yards in 2008. Although this was primarily due to Peterson's all-world abilities, Bienemy's influence in his unforgettable rise to superstardom cannot be overlooked.
In 2010, Bieniemy again returned to his alma mater, serving as the offensive coordinator in Boulder until his return to the NFL with Andy Reid and the Kansas City Chiefs in 2013.
Eric Bieniemy's time with the Chiefs
Eric Bieniemy accepted the position as Kansas City Chiefs running backs coach under Andy Reid in 2013 and stayed in the role until 2018, when he was promoted to offensive coordinator after the departure of Matt Nagy.
The Chiefs led the NFL in both yards per game and points scored in Bieniemy's first season directing Kansas City's offense, scoring the third-most points in a single season in league history.
That same year, Patrick Mahomes became just the second quarterback in NFL history to throw for 5,000 yards and 50 touchdowns in a season as Kansas City reached the 2018 AFC Championship game, eventually losing to Tom Brady and the New England Patriots in an overtime thriller.
The following season, Bieniemy finally won his first Super Bowl ring when the Chiefs took down the San Francisco 49ers. He won another championship in 2022 as Kansas City defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 38-35 in a brilliant back-and-forth showdown in Super Bowl LVII.
During Bieniemy's time as Kansas City's offensive coordinator, the Chiefs were consistently one of the top units in the entire NFL, though much of their success is rightfully attributed to the otherworldly talent of Mahomes and the strategic brilliance of a future Pro Football Hall of Fame head coach in Reid.
This offseason, Bieniemy signed a two-year contract with the Washington Commanders, to be the team's assistant head coach and offensive coordinator. The two-time Super Bowl champion is now aiming to bring a winning mindset and jolt of energy to a franchise and fanbase in desperate need of both.
Eric Bieniemy brings different vibes to the Commanders
The Washington Commanders' new offensive coordinator's impact was immediately obvious from his opening press conference. Players from both the offense and defense showed up to welcome Eric Bieniemy, which was a major statement of intent.
Bieniemy's presence has instilled a palpable confidence among Washington's players, with his unwavering attention to detail and focus on pace and personnel standing out early in OTAs.
Speaking recently at his youth football camp, Commanders' second-year wide receiver Jahan Dotson couldn't help but smile while talking about the effect Bieniemy's signing has already had on Washington's locker room via Nick Jhabvala of The Washington Post on Twitter.
"I feel like he's brought culture to our team... he's brought a sense of energy, a sense of urgency."Jahan Dotson via Twitter
The level of energy and communication that Bieniemy demands is something severely uncommon for loyal followers of the franchise. But it's a sorely welcome sight to behold, especially at such an early point in the offseason program.
Bieniemy's arrival, along with the eventual departure of disgraced owner Dan Snyder, has Washington's long-suffering fans cautiously optimistic about their team's playoff chances in 2023 and beyond, as a brand new era is set to begin in D.C.