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Ron Rivera clarifies remarks he made about Eric Bieniemy’s coaching style

Originally posted on 5 GOATs | By Suzanne Halliburton | Last updated 8/9/23

Commanders coach Ron Rivera got into some hot water this week when he admitted that several players were concerned about new offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy’s intensity.

So by Wednesday, Rivera tried to clarify what he meant. He first called Bieniemy. Then he talked to reporters about how he “put my foot in my mouth.”

“I think what I said wasn’t as clear as it needed to be,” the Commanders coach said in a Wednesday media briefing. “I think the understanding of it is just the fact that I think everybody’s making, in my opinion, a little bit more than needs to be made of this. Because again, the results are what you’re looking for on the field, and so far, the last couple days have been outstanding.

“I think Eric has done a great job of communicating his message now that guys have opened up, talked with him, he’s opened up to them. It’s been a great bit of growth the last couple of days that guys are starting to have the a-ha moments.”

Ron Rivera hired Eric Bieniemy this off past season, hoping that he would inject some passion into their offense. The hire was one of the splashiest of the NFL off season. He had spent the last decade coaching with the Chiefs, including serving as offensive coordinator to Andy Reid. The Washington Post reported that Bieniemy stands out at training camp. He’s loud and intense, often demanding do-overs on plays that had been screwed up.

During mini camp, Bieniemy charged up to a player. “This is not no half-a-- drill; run it again!” the offensive coordinator yelled.

Ron Rivera said Eric Bieniemy’s style led to two great practices

Rivera said several players asked him about Bieniemy, indicating they were struggling to adapt to his style. And Bieniemy admitted that he’s got a loud edge to him, but that he’s “always going to be upfront, and I’m always going to be honest. Just like I stated when I first got here, we all got to get uncomfortable to get comfortable. … Will everybody buy in? I believe so, but if not, it’s okay. Because you know what? My number one job is to help take these guys to another level, and I can see it.”

He added: “I’m always going to remain the same. I’m always going to be loud. I’m always going to be vocal. (And) I’m always going to demand from our leaders. But on top of that, I’m watching everything: body language, how we address in the huddle, how we’re getting up to the line of scrimmage, how we’re presenting ourselves. Those things are important because you got to send a message to the defense.”

When Rivera talked about Bieniemy’s style, he compared him to some old-school throwbacks Mike Ditka and Buddy Ryan. Neither of those two tolerated football foolishness.

Rivera also noted that the past two practices have been the Commanders best of training camp.

“To me, that displays the team is beginning to embrace the message,” Rivera said of the Commanders offense. “And approach to how he does things and how we want things done.”

This article first appeared on 5 GOATs and was syndicated with permission.

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