Eric Bieniemy celebrates one success after another as offensive coordinator of the Kansas City Chiefs, yet he doesn’t get a head coaching job. How much longer will the 53-year-old have to wait?

When Chiefs head coach Andy Reid was asked about his offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy and his future after the Super Bowl win against the Eagles, he only had positive things to say in an interview with “ESPN”.

“Eric Bieniemy has done great things for us and, I think, for the National Football League. I hope he has the opportunity to go somewhere and do his thing where he can run the show and be Eric Bieniemy.”

For the second year in a row, Reid is showering his offensive mastermind with praise – coupled with a wish that another franchise might yet recognize Bieniemy’s exceptional qualities and make him a head coach.

But after the last two vacant positions with the Colts and Cardinals were filled by ex-Eagles coordinators Shane Steichen and Jonathan Gannon, it is clear: The 53-year-old will not be a head coach next season either.

Mahomes excited about Bieniemy

However, this would have been well deserved, as the Chiefs have consistently delivered top performances under him. The 53-year-old has been the franchise’s offensive coordinator for five years, with the team appearing in the AFC Championship Game in all five years, as well as three Super Bowls, two of which were won.

His influence on quarterback superstar Patrick Mahomes and the O-line is unmistakable. So it’s no surprise that the Super Bowl MVP is also convinced that his teacher long ago deserved the chance to lead a team as a head coach.

“This is more than overdue,” Mahomes declared after the triumph. “He’s done everything the right way. He holds everybody accountable, he’s creative in coming up with plays for us, and I don’t know why he hasn’t been hired as head coach yet. “

Third Super Bowl in four years

Bieniemy himself seems much less bothered by this, at least outwardly. Even before the Super Bowl, the coach commented on his situation to “ESPN”.

“When you play in the Super Bowl, it’s an outstanding feeling. So that’s the only feeling I know.”

He continued, “You have to know that this year I was interviewed by the Indianapolis Colts. Last year I interviewed with the Saints after the AFC Championship Game. It’s unfortunate that it didn’t quite work out, but think about it: I’m going to my third Super Bowl in the last four years. Who wouldn’t want that? “

No head coaching position again

The Super Bowl is now behind Bieniemy, the next title is in the bag, but it hasn’t changed anything.

In addition to the Colts and Cardinals, the Texans, Broncos and Panthers were also looking for a new head coach. They all opted for a different solution.

Bieniemy – should another head coach not be fired – has come up empty again.

A feeling that should be familiar to him. Last week, for example, he admitted to having had more than a dozen interviews for head coaching jobs in his five years as the Chiefs’ offensive coordinator. Always without success.

Tyreek Hill can’t believe it

Not only incomprehensible to Mahomes, but also to Tyreek Hill. “The fact that EB is still without a head coaching job is crazy. A great coach that just gets slept on,” the longtime Chiefs receiver, who now plays for the Miami Dolphins, wrote on Twitter.

But where does Bieniemy go from here? Last year he signed a one-year contract in Kansas City, which has now expired. A renewed commitment to the NFL champions is of course a possibility, but it is by no means certain.

The problem is that other options are few and far between. At the end of January, a report by “NFL Network” suggested that the Commanders, Ravens, Titans and Jets had requested Bieniemy for an interview regarding their offensive coordinator post. Only the Commanders have yet to fill the position since.

Does Bieniemy go to the Commanders?

Should the 53-year-old not return to the Chiefs after the Super Bowl victory, the champions would lose one of their most important employees. For Andy Reid this would be a big loss, which he would nevertheless accept.

“I always wish our guys the best of luck. A chance – that’s what they all deserve. They work hard. If they get a promotion somewhere that I can’t give them, all the better for them.”

Whether the Washington offense, where there was more confusion at the quarterback position last season with Carson Wentz, Taylor Heinicke and Sam Howell, is a promotion remains to be seen.

But perhaps a future head coaching position will require a fresh start – with another team.