Chiefs' Bieniemy: Wife on 'great road to recovery'

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. -- Eric Bieniemy, the Chiefs' offensive coordinator, said Tuesday that his wife, Mia, is on track to make a full recovery after she was allegedly shot by the couple's son last month in the family's home in Virginia. "She is on a great road to recovery," Eric Bieniemy said in his first comments since July 27, when he left the team. He added: "She is doing great. It's one of the main reasons why I'm back here, because of her recovery. She's truly a soldier, she's a saint and it's been incredible to watch. "I know I was driving her and a bunch of my family members crazy in the house. She was like, 'You have my blessing to leave.'" In his two-week absence, Bieniemy missed 11 of the Chiefs' training camp practices after traveling to Virginia to be with his wife. Mia Bieniemy, 57, was hospitalized July 26 and has remained in stable condition. Police in Loudoun County, Virginia, confirmed the next day that a woman was being treated for "serious injuries" from multiple gunshot wounds but did not disclose her identity. A few days after the shooting, Reid shared that Mia Bieniemy was released from the intensive care unit. "Obviously, the unfortunate circumstances, which took place, [were] very hurtful, in a way," Eric Bieniemy said. "I'd also like to say thank you to the entire Chiefs family for the outpouring [of] love and support that my family has received through this particular situation." Elijah Zion Bieniemy, 27, was arrested and charged July 27 with malicious wounding, use of a firearm in commission of a felony and discharge of a firearm inside of a dwelling, according to the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office. Sources told ESPN that Mia Bieniemy was shot in the chest and arm. Elijah Bieniemy is being held without bond at a detention center in Loudoun County. Pamela Brooks, a Loudoun County judge, granted the motion from the attorney for Elijah Bieniemy on July 30 to have him undergo a competency evaluation involving his case. The preliminary hearing for the case is scheduled for Sept. 9. Eric Bieniemy declined Tuesday to provide any updates on this son. While away from the Chiefs, Bieniemy was still able to watch some practices via a live stream to take notes and to deliver messages back. He called general manager Brett Veach earlier this month to send a coaching tip to Reid for rookie running back Emmett Johnson. "Technology is pretty impressive," Bieniemy said. "My language probably got a little colorful in the house. I had a bunch of family members that were there that really never heard some of the language that was used. It felt good just to see the guys work and to feel like I was still a part of it." On Bieniemy's first day back with the Chiefs last week, the entire group of offensive linemen greeted him -- each one shaking his hand. Known for his intensity, Bieniemy has still maintained his usual coaching style, such as shouting at certain players, including receiver Rashee Rice during Monday's practice, for poor fundamentals and a lack of attention to detail with their assignments. "It feels good to be back," Bieniemy said. "When you've been in this environment, this is your family away from your family. I've been a part of this sport since the age of 6, so this has been a part of who I am. This is a beautiful sport. You have your highs and lows with what takes place on the field. But it's all about people being united for one common goal. "It means a lot to not only have great players, but more importantly great people that care about you not just as a coach but who you are as a person, a family man."