Eric Bieniemy, former Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator has seen his coaching career take another hit. After only a single season as UCLA’s offensive coordinator, the Bruins have decided to part ways with Bieniemy.
Bieniemy was brought on board the Bruins coaching staff to help improve their offense as they entered the Big Ten. However, what occurred was much of the opposite. UCLA’s offense was worse from 2023 to 2024 going from 70th in total offense to 117th. The Bruins struggled throughout the 2024 season and finished with a 5-7 record, and Head Coach DeShaun Foster felt it was time to make a change.
UCLA Parts Ways With Bieniemy
UCLA hired Eric Bieniemy in early 2024, hoping his NFL experience from coaching championship-level teams would translate to the collegiate level. Bieniemy was a key aspect of the Kansas City Chiefs teams that had won both the 2018 and 2022 Super Bowl titles.
However, that was not the case and UCLA’s offense suffered. In 2024, the Bruins saw nearly all of their offensive rankings plummet compared to the rest of the nation. In 2024 UCLA ranked 94th nationally in yards per play and 126th in scoring. DeShaun Foster, a long-time friend of Bieniemy, decided that it would be best for everyone if he and Bieniemy parted ways, allowing his ball club a fresh start heading into the 2025 season.
Bieniemy’s Return to College Football
This job at UCLA was Eric Bieniemy’s first collegiate coaching job since 2012 when he served as Colorado’s offensive coordinator. Following Eric Bieniemy’s departure from the Chiefs, he had the opportunity to join the Washington Commanders coaching staff in 2023 and served as their offensive coordinator. This position also lasted just one year.
According to Eric Bieniemy’s agent, Jason Fletcher, Bieniemy had joined UCLA because “he wanted to stay active and busy.” However, it could also be said he was looking to help rejuvenate a coaching career that had been on the downward slope in the past few years. His short stint in his last two stops also raises questions about where he might end up next. Per his agent, “the plan was always to return to the NFL in 2025, and he’s looking forward to the opportunities ahead.”
What’s Next For UCLA and Bieniemy?
The latest reports surrounding what the Bruins will do next point to them likely pursuing their next offensive from another Big Ten program. This is something they have already begun the process on, showing the urgency Foster and his staff have. As things currently stand, they are simply not good enough to compete in their new conference.
Then there’s Bieniemy, whose future remains unclear although he intends to return to the NFL in some capacity. Despite his recent struggles over the past two years, Bieniemy still has a Super Bowl-winning coordinator on his resume which gives him the chance to find work elsewhere if open to the opportunity.
Final Thoughts
With UCLA parting ways with Eric Bieniemy, both sides have officially turned the page and are moving on with their respective endeavors. Foster is now focused on reshaping his team to compete in the Big Ten heading into 2025.
Eric Bieniemy, on the other hand, has to find a way to overcome yet another setback in his coaching career. While only with the Bruins for a season, he still has an extensive NFL track record of success, which suggests he will find another opportunity at some point.
