Fired Coach from Magic Johnson’s NFL Team Draws Unfortunate NBA Comparisons

When fans were hoping Magic Johnson would bring changes to the Commanders’ coaching staff, they didn’t expect this. After hiring Kliff Kingsbury as the new offensive coordinator, they let Eric Bieniemy go. There was speculation that Bieniemy would get the ax but some pitched that he deserves a fair shot again. NBA pro-turned-analyst, Jalen Rose sees Eric Bieniemy’s situation as a repetition of another NBA legend’s career trajectory.

“Eric Bieniemy has now become the Mark Jackson of the NFL,” Rose referred to Mark Jackson’s stint with the Golden State Warriors. Jackson had earned two more years on a four-year contract in 2013. After leading Dub Nation to consecutive playoff appearances, the team let him go in 2014. 5x NBA champion, Steve Kerr, was hired and he won the Warriors its first NBA title in 40 years.

Jackson got into a full-time broadcasting career till ESPN let him go in 2023 along with other analysts. His tenure with MSG Networks and the Knicks ended bitterly too. He never, however, got a coaching offer again. Rose claims that Jackson nurtured the Warriors so they could win a championship after him.

Similar to him, Bieniemy – who has been called ‘fun-sized Shaq’ among other things for his resemblance to Shaquille O’Neal – had a successful five-year run with the Kansas City Chiefs (who’re now Super Bowl contenders) and had two championships to his credit.

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He joined the Commanders under Ron Rivera last offseason when the ownership group was going through a change. Bieniemy, however, was not able to repeat the success and the Commanders’ offensive troubles were prolonged.

Jalen Rose believes the fired OC deserves more

Magic Johnson bemoaned the team’s mistakes on X after every loss. After fans’ outcry, changes have been made in the staff. Ron Rivera was fired as head coach and Dan Quinn replaced him. Many fans felt that Bieniemy would work better under Quinn but he went with Kingsbury. That stunned others like Jalen Rose.

Rose is dismayed that Bieniemy, like Jackson, is not receiving the offers he deserves. “All of the offensive coordinators that have developed quarterbacks at one level or another have gotten an opportunity or multiple opportunities to be a head coach. You mean Eric Bieniemy can’t get one opportunity?” There’s no head coach opening in the NFL now, which means Bieniemy will likely be hired as an offensive coordinator again or will have to sit out the next season.

He referred to his championships, working with Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce, and flourishing under Andy Reid and felt, “They’re literally denying this man an opportunity that he’s earned and deserved.” Rose has sparked a discussion on this comparison. Do you believe Bieniemy or Jackson deserve another opportunity?

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