Chiefs Eric Bieniemy, Dave Toub seen as head coaching candidates

It’s an annual tradition.

On the Monday following the close of the regular season — after some teasers starting sometime around midseason — NFL teams begin firing head coaches and coordinators.

In an article posted on Wednesday, NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport go through the list of the most likely candidates for the head coaching jobs that will come open in the next couple of weeks — in addition to the openings we already know will exist with the Cleveland Browns and Green Bay Packers.

Two Kansas City Chiefs assistant coaches made the list: offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy is listed among the “first-timers” who might be considered.

Eric Bieniemy, Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator, 49: Nine-year NFL veteran and longtime RBs coach was promoted after Matt Nagy followed Doug Pederson to a head job. Next branch of the Andy Reid tree.

Since Kansas City’s two previous offensive coordinators — Doug Peterson and Matt Nagy — have both landed head coaching jobs and found immediate success, it’s hard to imagine Bieniemy won’t get some interest.

And as always… special teams coordinator Dave Toub is expected to draw interest, too.

Dave Toub, Kansas City Chiefs assistant head coach/special teams coordinator, 56: Didn’t get an interview following last season after two in the post-2016 cycle. But he’s still the first name other special-teams coaches bring up as a candidate.

Notably absent from the list: former Chiefs head coach Todd Haley, who was fired as offensive coordinator for the Cleveland Browns before finishing a single season in the position. So it would seem that being convinced you’re going to be named interim head coach when your boss is about to be fired midseason isn’t a good look.