Dallas Cowboys: Make Eric Bieniemy the next head coach

The Dallas Cowboys would be wise to make Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator, Eric Bieniemy their next head coach. Here’s why…

Jason Garrett is on his way out and for the first time in roughly a decade the Dallas Cowboys are searching for their next head coach. While popular names like Urban Meyer, Lincoln Riley, Josh McDaniels, Greg Roman, and Matt Rhule dominate most discussions, it’s Eric Bieniemy who’s likely to be the best man for the job.

Let’s be clear, the candidate pool isn’t exactly an embarrassment of riches this offseason. Unless Nick Saban or Bill Belichick officially throws their names in the mix, there isn’t an obvious choice. But I want to make the case that Bieniemy is the top choice amoung realistic candidates and there’s really no close second…

Why Eric Bieniemy

Eric Bieniemy is a name which should be getting more attention than it is. The former NFL running back has carved out an impressive resume coaching in both college as well as the pros. The Andy Reid disciple has learned from arguably the best offensive mind in football and helped turn Kansas City’s offense into one of the most prolific in the NFL over the past two seasons (and yes, better than Dallas’).

The rise of the Chiefs’ passing attack is well documented. All the Chiefs did was take an undervalued draft pick (Patrick Mahomes) and turn him into the best passer in the NFL (by a fairly wide margin). While Dak Prescott may not be Mahomes 2.0, the situation at QB is a similar one.

Prescott has exceeded expectations every step of the way and while a late season injury dragged down his numbers he still finished as one of the best QBs in the NFL by most reliable measures (Listed below).

Perhaps most importantly is Bieniemy’s work within a system that pushes for early down passing. As we all know, league-wide, early down passing is head and shoulders more fruitful than rushing.

This holds true for a well-regarded running team like the Dallas Cowboys as well. Per Ben Baldwin, last season the Dallas running game had a 42% success rate (3rd in NFL) for an average expected points added (EPA) of 0.05 (4th in NFL). But their passing attack had a success rate of 51% (2nd in NFL) and an average expected points added of .21 (5th in the NFL).

Simply put, the passing game was successful 9% more often and produced over 4x the expected points per attempt. It’s staggering they called so many early down runs and reason enough to favor a Reid/Bieniemy philosophy over a run-heavy philosophy like Greg Romans (although I’d run it all the time too if I had Lamar Jackson).

"“People look at me sideways because I’m a [former] running back, and they think I always want to run the ball,” Bieniemy said. “No. I understand the importance of the passing game and I understand the importance of making sure we’re pushing the ball down the field.”"

But Bieniemy’s not just another new age pass-heavy, run-hating offensive mind either. He passes when he’s analytically supposed to but does so without abandoning the running game. The Chiefs are operating one of the best screen games in the NFL and always find a way to feed their backs on the ground and through the air. It’s the model offense.

More to the point, Eric Bieniemy has coached star running backs like Adrian Peterson, Jamaal Charles, and Kareem Hunt through their best seasons. He’s been enormous for their careers and could do the same for Ezekiel Elliott.

More from Dallas Cowboys

• Dallas Cowboys Linebackers: 2023 Position Overview
• Ballhawk University: Why the Cowboys will be takeaway leaders
• Dallas Cowboys Player to Watch: Sleeper TE John Stephens, Jr.
• Dallas Cowboys: The impact of Micah Parsons and a well-rounded secondary
• Dallas Cowboys still unsure about their left guard position for 2023

It’s noteworthy to point out it’s Andy Reid calling the plays, not Bieniemy. But it’s Bieniemy running the meetings, building the playbook, and talking in Patrick Mahomes’ helmet on game day. He’s the one talking to Mahomes and dissecting the defense at the line(ala Sean McVay) and him working with his QBs on the sideline. While Andy Reid has always liked to call his own plays, he’s also developed quite an expansive coaching tree over the years.

Last year alone he had six former assistants serving as head coaches. That’s significantly better success at developing his assistants than Bill Belichick has had.

"“He’d be an awesome head coach,” Mahomes said. “He has that mindset, that work ethic and that determination that you need to be head coach in this league.”"

Eric Bieniemy isn’t the flashy name many of us are naturally attracted to, but his offensive experience is right, his pedigree is strong, and his run-pass philosophy is spot-on in today’s NFL. He’s an innovative mind who players can respect and relate to and he’s coached some of the best superstars in the NFL through their best seasons.

A seasoned defensive mind will likely be needed to run the other side of the ball but in a league that values offense over defense, defensive minds are easy to find and easier to acquire. Want to get the most out of Dallas’ best players? Eric Bieniemy is the man for the job.

• Published on 01/03/2020 at 13:01 PM
• Last updated at 01/03/2020 at 12:55 PM