Coach Eric Bieniemy Reacts: My A** Fired’ If Commanders Fail
When the Washington Commanders signed Eric Bieniemy to be the team's assistant head coach and offensive coordinator, it was to improve a below-average offense and maybe even save head coach Ron Rivera's job.
Indeed, Bieniemy’s culture-shock approach is all about saving butts … including his own.
Said Bieniemy in the face of criticism emerging from his own locker room: "If I'm not doing my job, my a** gets fired."
Rivera is opening speaking on Bieniemy's personality and his impact on the offense in his short time running it. … and trying to manage the players who aren’t quite getting it.
"We're out of our comfort zone," Rivera said. "We're doing things a little bit differently. I've been doing things for the most part the same way for 12 years. This is something that's been different but it's been good for our guys I think."
While Rivera said he thinks it's good the players are getting out of their comfort zone, not everyone seems to be on the same page.
"A lot of these young guys, they do struggle with certain things and a lot of it ... is from where they've been. I mean, guys coming from certain programs are used to it. Guys coming from other programs aren't as much. So, us as a coach, I kind of have to assimilate and get a feel for everybody."
If Bieniemy is going to fix the Commanders' offense, he's doing what's necessary by bringing the players and Rivera out of his comfort zone. Rivera's comfort zone has led to Washington finishing under .500 in each of his three seasons as head coach.
Bieniemy played an integral part in the Kansas City Chiefs being one of the most prolific offenses in the NFL the last five seasons, developed the best quarterback in the game in Patrick Mahomes and has won two Super Bowls.
Said Bieniemy: "Eric Bieniemy is who he is. Eric Bieniemy knows how to adapt and adjust. Eric Bieniemy is a tough, hard-nosed coach, but also understand I'm going to be the biggest and harshest critic, but also their No. 1 fan because I've got their back."
The energetic Bieniemy is doing all of that, trying to get the best out of his players. It worked with the Chiefs and he should be afforded the same opportunity with the Commanders. If the Commanders can't buy into that, they may be heading for another wasted year - and Rivera and anybody not on board may only have themselves to blame.
Want the latest in breaking news and insider information on the Washington Commanders? Click Here.
Follow Commander Country on Twitter.
Want even more Washington Commanders news? Check out the SI.com team page here.
