KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Chiefs coach Andy Reid expressed disappointment that offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy was passed over for an NFL head coach opening for the third straight year.
"I'm glad I have him [for at least another season], but I'm not so glad I have him,'' Reid said Thursday after the Chiefs began practice for Super Bowl LV against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. "I was really hoping he would have an opportunity to take one of these jobs. You guys know what I think of him. I think he's great. I think he would be great for any number of teams that opened up and help them win football games and also develop men into men. I just think he's a great person."
Bieniemy, in his third season as the Chiefs' coordinator, interviewed for six head coach openings this year. He also interviewed for multiple openings in each of the previous two years.
Chiefs wideout Tyreek Hill is confident Bieniemy's time is coming.
"I'm not a GM or anything, but I will say coach Bieniemy has helped me out a lot (as) a man, player, just everything I've become for the Chiefs' organization," Hill said. "It's very shocking that he didn't get a job. I know deep down inside he's going to look at himself in the mirror and say, 'What do I have to do better next year or whenever the case may be?' He's that kind of dude. He wants to get better and he wants to become a head coach. His time will come.''
One of Reid's former assistants, David Culley, did land a head-coaching job with the Houston Texans. Culley coached for Reid for 18 seasons, including from 2013 through 2016 with the Chiefs as wide receivers coach.
"David will do a good job,'' Reid said. "He's a people person. He'll bring energy to the building. One of the most loyal guys I've ever been around. He's a great person. We were together 18 years. We had a few cheeseburgers together.''