Probably the most notable names within the NFL teaching carousel throughout the previous few seasons, former Washington Commanders assistant head coach/offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy has a brand new residence. Bieniemy will transfer again to the school ranks becoming a member of new UCLA coach DeShaun Foster’s workers as affiliate head coach/offensive coordinator.
“It is a nice alternative for me to assist assist DeShaun as a brand new head coach, to work with him and for him as effectively,” Bieniemy informed CBS Sports activities Senior NFL Insider Josina Anderson and NFL author Garrett Podell by way of textual content message. “I selected to fly below the radar throughout this hiring course of, and my expertise generated lots of curiosity from plenty of NFL teams previous to coming to this determination.”
Bieniemy, who beforehand rose to prominence as offensive coordinator of the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs, stated two NFL teams confirmed curiosity in him as an offensive coordinator early within the offseason hiring course of. He additionally interviewed with the Commanders for his or her head-coaching emptiness and acquired a wide range of different NFL affords starting from affiliate head coach and operating backs coach to senior offensive assistant.
Bieniemy returns for a second teaching stint in Westwood, California, with 19 years between his time with the Bruins. He beforehand coached operating backs at UCLA from 2003-05 earlier than starting his NFL teaching profession. This may not be his first time as a university offensive coordinator, both: Bieniemy known as performs at Colorado, his alma mater, for 2 seasons (2011-12) previous to becoming a member of UCLA.
“It is a nice alternative to work at a historic establishment that has produced plenty of profitable alums in many alternative professions throughout the board,” Bieniemy stated. “It is a chance for my household and I to return again to a spot we as soon as known as residence. It is a nice alternative for me to make the most of all of my expertise working with future Corridor of Fame gamers and a Corridor of Fame head coach [Andy Reid] to assist train and encourage younger males what it takes to achieve success on and off the sector.”
The Chiefs received two Tremendous Bowls in Bieniemy’s 5 seasons as Reid’s offensive coordinator from 2018-22, a run that coincided with Patrick Mahomes turning into Kansas Metropolis’s beginning quarterback and a two-time NFL MVP (2018, 2022). Bieniemy’s items led the NFL in scoring (30.1 factors per sport) and complete offense (406.2 complete yards per sport) throughout his Chiefs tenure.
“As an skilled, profitable offensive coordinator that went to 5 straight AFC Championship video games, three Tremendous Bowls and received two Tremendous Bowls, my purpose is to assist generate some pleasure for potential pupil athletes to think about attending UCLA as we collectively put together for the transfer to the Massive Ten convention in recruiting,” he stated.
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Bieniemy left Kansas Metropolis in 2023 to turn out to be assistant head coach/offensive coordinator in Washington below former Commanders head coach Ron Rivera. He was employed previous to the workforce being bought by Daniel Snyder to a bunch led by Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Devils proprietor Josh Harris.
Whereas the Commanders ranked among the many backside 10 in each scoring offense (19.4 factors per sport) and complete offense (312.8 yards per sport) final season, Bieniemy had a tall job in entrance of him to persistently transfer the ball. He had 2022 fifth-round decide Sam Howell at quarterback alongside a protection that ranked useless final in your complete NFL in scoring protection (30.5 factors per sport), complete protection (388.9 complete yards per sport), passing touchdowns (39) and passer ranking (105.7). Thus, Washington known as passes on an NFL-high 66.1% of its offensive performs because it confronted the third-most time trailing within the 2023 common season (10:13:21), forward of solely the New York Jets (10:22:04) and Carolina Panthers (10:54:42).
Howell received off to a sizzling begin, main the league with 3,339 yards passing by way of the primary 12 weeks of the season, demonstrating Bieniemy’s impression on his improvement. He completed the season ranked twelfth in yards passing (3,946) whereas main the league in interceptions (21), sacks taken (65) and cross makes an attempt (612) in his first go as an NFL beginning quarterback. He additionally compiled 21 passing touchdowns and averaged 6.4 yards per cross try for a 78.9 passer ranking. The adversity of the season ultimately took a toll on Howell (in addition to your complete group) with the Commanders ending 4-13.
When the offseason started, Bieniemy was within the combine to be retained by new Commanders head coach Dan Quinn, however Quinn opted to usher in former Texas Tech and Arizona Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury as an alternative. Now, Bieniemy has his personal likelihood to guide an offense and stroll a path just like different coaches who’ve made an impression in college football earlier than once more garnering NFL curiosity.
“There have been loads of coaches who had a substantial amount of success within the NFL and have had success on the school degree as effectively: Pete Carroll, Nick Saban, Jim Harbuagh and Kingsbury to call a number of,” Bieniemy stated.
As an indication of his ongoing reference to the Chiefs group, Bieniemy was invited again into Kansas Metropolis’s inside circle to hype up the workforce previous to their 2023 AFC Championship sport victory over the top-seeded Baltimore Ravens. The Chiefs received 17-10 and superior to Super Bowl LVIII the place they defeated the San Francisco 49ers, 25-22, in extra time for again to again championships. Mahomes highlighted Bieniemy’s significance to Kansas Metropolis final December when the Chiefs have been going by way of a hunch.
“Coach Bieniemy set that customary when he was right here, and you can see these lingering results of the opposite coaches who’ve coached beneath EB after which coach [Matt] Nagy,” Mahomes informed USA Today’s Chiefs Wire.
Bieniemy has 16 seasons of NFL teaching expertise throughout three totally different franchises, beforehand serving as operating backs coach for the Minnesota Vikings from 2006-10. His teaching path has been a winding highway, however Bieniemy is thrilled for his subsequent cease with UCLA.
“I’m so personally fired up about this subsequent chapter in my profession that I’m having a tough time articulating my pleasure!” Bieniemy stated. “Final however not least, I’m wanting ahead to embracing this subsequent journey with my head held excessive to the end!”
