Once again the University of South Carolina head football coach job is available after a subpar performance by Clay Helton for the last five-plus seasons.
The USC job is always going to be a plush gig because of the three “Rs” — resources, recruiting and residency.
What aspiring head coach wouldn’t want to play home games at the LA Memorial Coliseum, recruit in a talent-rich state and live in Southern California?
Per reports, the “Men of Troy” are interested in Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy.
Top candidate for USC job: Eric Bieniemy.
Chiefs OC has led a top 2 offense per EPA for the past 3 seasons. pic.twitter.com/w3478IMzsT
— Unnecessary Roughness (@UnnecRoughness) September 14, 2021
What a jackpot grab he would be. It’s unfathomable to think that in a league where quarterback performance is everything and play callers get first dibs on the head coaching vacancies that a Super Bowl winning offensive coordinator training the best QB in the game (Patrick Mahomes) can’t get a pro head coaching gig.
"Eric Bieniemy should be on line one for the Houston Texans."@mspears96 reacts to the Texans firing head coach and GM Bill O’Brien. pic.twitter.com/fdYoTUaEqg
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) October 5, 2020
The 52-year-old Bieniemy is currently in his fourth season as the Chiefs OC, while being Andy Reid’s top assistant.
Bieniemy has done everything from groom quarterbacks to design the play sheet to calling plays in-game.
The former University of Colorado star has had his fair share of interviews for NFL head coaching jobs, but he’s never been hired.
Some believe it’s some of Bieniemy’s own doing as he isn’t willing to jump at any job, as Black head coaches historically have a shorter leash than their white counterparts.
If he doesn’t get the right offer, there’s no reason for him to leave the green pastures of KC and take just any job.
Others believe he’s been “blackballed” to an extent for some odd reason.
Maybe one of college football’s flagship programs, like the USC Trojans, can sway Bieniemy into hopefully leading them back to the glory days when Seattle Seahawks HC Pete Carroll had LA Coliseum lit in the early 2000s.
Bieniemy still might have his sights set higher than a college program. He turned down his alma Mater Colorado’s vacancy in February 2020, after helping lead the Chiefs to their first Super Bowl win in 50 years.
He probably assumed he would have numerous job offers. For some reason, he didn’t receive any of the seven job openings last offseason. Less experienced candidates were chosen to lead several NFL teams.
This guy interviewed better than Eric Bieniemy 😂😂
Sounds like Detroit is looking forward to more years of losing pic.twitter.com/PcKc9wMLyZ
— The Shadow League (@ShadowLeague) January 21, 2021
Bieniemy has some college coaching experience as he was Colorado’s running backs coach from 2001-2002. He then returned to Boulder in 2011 as offensive coordinator for a season. He also had a stint at UCLA as the Bruins’ running backs coach from 2003-2009.
Hiring Bieniemy would be a huge get for the Trojans, as his NFL pedigree could bode well for a program constantly facing change
He knows the ins and outs of the business, and his experience and guidance would be very beneficial to any players who are ready to make that jump from the college game to the pros.
Replacing someone like Helton won’t be easy because of his long-tenured ties to the school dating back some 12 years.
Bieniemy’s recent success would make him a welcome addition and he would be immediately embraced by the student body for bringing the Chiefs explosive style of offense to the Trojans.
Any skills players with NFL potential would be thoroughly prepared to excel in a pro-style or spread offense, while competing for Pac-12 championships every season.
Bieniemy has been more than patient when it comes to acquiring one of the 32 head coaching jobs.
Instead of picking the wrong team in the NFL and failing, turning USC back into a powerhouse would basically allow Bieniemy to write his NFL ticket if the right situation arises.
