Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy made it clear this week that he is focused on his current job, but that does not mean he has completely ruled out the one he has been linked to.

Bieniemy is believed to be someone USC will target after the school fired Clay Helton as head coach. The 52-year-old said on Thursday that he is solely focused on coaching the Chiefs. However, Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports was told by sources close to Bieniemy that the Southern California native is open to coaching at USC.

Timing could be a significant obstacle, as USC wants to have a new head coach in place by Thanksgiving. That would allow the new coach to get enough of a jump on recruiting. Bieniemy would have to leave the Chiefs at some point to interview with USC.

Bieniemy has been mentioned as an NFL head coaching candidate during the past two hiring cycles. He said this past offseason that he is disappointed he has not landed one of those positions. If Bieniemy does decide that coaching at the college level interests him, the USC job should have a lot of appeal.

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST
Lakers set to benefit from Pelicans’ NBA Draft decision
One rookie quarterback is showing 'elite downfield accuracy' during OTAs
Drew Brees thinks he could be NFL’s best broadcaster
Rangers star second baseman hopes rest helps neck issue
Dodgers designate veteran pitcher for assignment after disastrous outing
Christian Yelich ties Brewers franchise record held by Paul Molitor
Jalen Brunson claps back at tiredness narrative after Knicks' playoff exit
Report: Cowboys quietly 'all-in' on Dak Prescott decision
Report: Bulls drop trade asking price for All-Star
Team Penske tops the charts in NASCAR Cup Series practice at Gateway
Kings make huge decision on head coach Mike Brown
Oilers beat Stars to take 3-2 lead in WCF
Orioles lose two starting pitchers to season-ending surgeries
Yankees' Aaron Judge, Juan Soto make MLB history with impressive offensive numbers
Caitlin Clark frustrated by physical WNBA play: 'I feel like I'm getting hammered'
Bills give Olympic gold medalist chance in NFL
An epic temper tantrum highlighted Day 6 of the French Open
Broncos' Sean Payton shares promising Bo Nix update amid competition
Celtics HC Joe Mazzulla blasts media for Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown coverage
Pistons parting ways with GM after hiring new head of ops

Want more sports news?

Join the hundreds of thousands of fans who start their day with Yardbarker's Morning Bark, the best newsletter in sports.