Eric Bieniemy To Leave Vikings For University Of Colorado

by Christopher Gates on Dec 2, 2010 3:58 PM CST in Minnesota Vikings 2010 Season

Last weekend, prior to the Vikings' game against the Washington Redskins, officials from the University of Colorado had come to interview Vikings' running backs coach Eric Bieniemy about becoming the next head coach of the Buffaloes. The other person they interviewed this past weekend was another former Buffalo, current Redskins' tight ends coach Jon Embree.

Well, apparently the University of Colorado has made their decision, as they have offered Embree the position of head coach, a job that he has accepted, according to the Denver Post.

So that means Eric Bieniemy is staying with the Vikings right? Not so much, no. (Did you even read the headline for the story?)

Jon Embree has verbally accepted Colorado's offer to become its next head football coach, according to Bill McCartney, the legendary ex-Buffs' coach. Embree will hire former Buffs' great Eric Bieniemy as his offensive coordinator, McCartney said.

"Embree's going to be the head coach and Bieniemy's going to be the offensive coordinator," McCartney told The Denver Post today. "Take it to the bank and hang your hat on it."

So, it looks like the Vikings are in line to try to find a new running backs coach.

We'll try to get some more reaction on this as it comes in. There hasn't been any official word yet from Embree, Bieniemy, the Redskins, the Vikings, or the University of Colorado. . .but I'm sure that's all coming sooner rather than later.

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According to Judd Zulgad

http://twitter.com/JuddZulgad/status/10451240559312896

Bieniemy is the Vikings’ main coach when it comes to blitz pickups.

Based on how the Vikings’ have looked in blitz pickup for the better part of this season, you can take that however you will.

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by Christopher Gates on Dec 2, 2010 4:02 PM CST reply actions

Wow. Just wow.

It seems likely that Chester Taylor knew all about blitz pickups from when he was a Raven. EB couldn’t teach that to AD in four years? That’s just bad teaching technique.

Reading between tines on EB’s departure, my guess is he and Frazier were not best buddies. This could be partly because EB was given the title “Assistant Head Coach” without doing anything to earn it, and Frazier thus lost some glow from when he had that title all to himself. Now Frazier just has one title, Head Coach, and I bet EB must know he would do well to depart now.

by medicineball on Dec 2, 2010 5:51 PM CST up reply actions

And...you beat me to it.

I was just about to post when I noticed your post on my Twitter feed. So I’ll just post my take as a comment instead:

It appears that Vikings Running Backs Coach Eric Bieniemy will have a new job in 2011.

According to the Denver Post, Jon Embree has verbally accepted the head coaching job at Colorado University. Embree used to play for Colorado and is currently the Tight Ends Coach in Washington. This normally wouldn’t concern the Vikings, except the Post is also reporting that Embree will appoint Minnesota Running Backs Coach Eric Bieniemy as his offensive coordinator. Bieniemy is also a Colorado alum.

While you can never fault a coach for wanting to move up in the world, it’s unfortunate to see Bieniemy leave if the reports are indeed true. Adrian Peterson and Toby Gerhart have always spoke very highly of “EB” and his attitude during his tenure in Minnesota, and he has obviously produced some favorable results on the field.

It’s uncertain as to when the coaching move would take effect since the coaches themselves haven’t confirmed the report yet, but I would imagine that Bieniemy wouldn’t join Colorado until the Vikings’ season is over.

If EB is indeed headed back to his alma mater next season, best of luck to him. Hopefully Colorado fares much better with their new head coach that used to be a Tight End Coach in the NFL than Minnesota did. Isn’t that right Mr. Brewster?

Finally, it will be sad to lose one of the greatest Chris Berman nicknames of all time: Eric “Sleeping With” Bieniemy.

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by Eric J. Thompson on Dec 2, 2010 4:02 PM CST reply actions

Good luck Mr. Bieniemy

Thank for your great contributions to the Vikings.

I suspect this offseason will be marked by great change throughout all levels of my beloved Vikes.

by cyberuck on Dec 2, 2010 4:21 PM CST reply actions

I suspect you are right.

The 2011 Vikings are going to look very different than this year’s version.

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by Eric J. Thompson on Dec 2, 2010 4:30 PM CST up reply actions

Congratulations coach!

Seems like a natural fit. He’s a Colorado alum who was a great player during their golden era, and he becomes their offensive coordinator.

I wish him nothing but the best.

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by Ted Glover on Dec 2, 2010 4:38 PM CST reply actions

So long

I have repeatedly called for Bieniemy to be fired because all of our success comes from AD, Chester Taylor, and Toby Gerhart having talent and good prior coaching. I don’t think we have seen any improvement whatsoever in any phase of the game from any of our running backs due to anything Bieniemy did. Peterson improved his ball protection over the last offseason while he was away from the Vikings camp. He did it without the running backs coach.

Then we can throw in the infamous 12 men in the huddle penalty for which multiple coaches bear responsibility, including Bieniemy, and that is all that needs to be said.

While I have said all this, I think Bieniemy probably has potential. Going to the college game will probably help his professional development a lot.

Looking forward to a new Vikings running backs coach.

by medicineball on Dec 2, 2010 5:45 PM CST reply actions

He may not have improved them

But it seems like he is the exact kind of coach AP needs; someone who yells at him and keeps him motivated. I feel like AP has improved every season too. AP is more patient and waits for openings.

by StuckInCA on Dec 2, 2010 8:42 PM CST up reply actions

Kind of silly. Taylor was already a veteran when he came to you guys, so he was probably about as good as he was ever going to be. As for Peterson, ever stop to think for a second that maybe his fumbles and pass protection were/are a result of him just not being good at either or not giving the effort? Prior to this season, I seem to always remember him basically saying that his fumbles weren’t a big deal. He obviously realized that they were indeed a huge deal this offseason, and now they’re better. I think the sole reason for that is because he made it a priority, where it didn’t seem to be one before. There’s only so much you can do as a running back coach when it comes to fumbling. Bienemy could tell Peterson how to carry the ball, and what to do when he’s going to ground but what is he supposed to do if Peterson just doesn’t do it? Hardly his fault. Gerhart shouldn’t even be mentioned really. He’s played a little over a half of a season in the NFL.

I’d also argue that Bienemy helped Peterson tremendously with being more patient, which was something he struggled with big time early on in his career.

I think sometimes people like to just blame the coaches when the players do something wrong. The thought that Bienemy wasn’t a good coach in his time for the Vikings is ridiculous too me. Otherwise, I don’t see any explanations as to why so many colleges have seem to come calling for him as of late.

by packallday555 on Dec 2, 2010 9:12 PM CST up reply actions

Good timing at least

Knowing he was going to be looking for a job when the season ended (more than likely). Colorado isn’t exactly a great job but it’s a job.

by Bodysuit Man on Dec 2, 2010 8:46 PM CST reply actions

Most coveted RB Coaching position?

I would like to think this is a job that will have no shortage of applicants. Best back in the league, promising rookie. Seems like a slam dunk recruitment pitch.

by McCoubs on Dec 2, 2010 9:12 PM CST reply actions

I’d think whoever is hired for the position makes blocking a priority.

by cyberuck on Dec 2, 2010 11:04 PM CST up reply actions

Damn

NOW who’s going to yell at Purple Jesus?

by Jepp The Viking on Dec 2, 2010 11:31 PM CST reply actions

Good for EB!

Congratulations, coach. You deserve the head job. But either way, nothing better than heading home to work. Best of luck in CO!

"I run to daylight when I see an opening." - Adrian All Day Peterson

by bleedpurple426 on Dec 2, 2010 11:46 PM CST reply actions

well......

it seems like things will work out good for everyone……..EB moves up a position and goes back to coach at his alma mater (and hopefully gets to the head coaching slot one day) and frazier will be able to further mold his coaching staff to what he wants (since it seems like he will keep the job especially since gruden’s name is getting thrown around for every open HC position).

Good things come to those who keep fighting

by lonewolfcee on Dec 3, 2010 12:26 AM CST reply actions