It turns out that Kennedy Pola wasn’t Lane Kiffin’s first choice to become offensive coordinator at USC. (Although we doubt Pola was the sixth choice, like Kiffin was for the head coaching job.)
Vikings coach Brad Childress told Judd Zulgad of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune that Vikings running back coach Eric Bienemy was given a raise and the title of assistant head coach to help prevent him from jumping ship to Lane Kiffin’s staff.
Childress said earlier this week Bienemy is the best running back coach in the league that has a bright future in the league.
“You’re talking about giant money and it costs giant money to live [in Southern California]. It was extremely appealing and maybe you become a head coach in college,” Childress said Saturday. “But I think he has the ability to be a head coach at this level. He’s a tremendous teacher.”
The Vikings backed up Childress’ words with action, and successfully kept a quality coach. (Which wound up indirectly pissing Jeff Fisher off.)