The Eric Bieniemy UCLA Chapter: A Disappointing Turn
The move of Eric Bieniemy, a Super Bowl-winning coach and former offensive coordinator for the Kansas City Chiefs, to UCLA as associate head coach/offensive coordinator, raised eyebrows across the football world. While Bieniemy framed the move as a homecoming, with ties to the high school and the Chargers, the situation was more complex. This article delves into the reasons behind Bieniemy's move to UCLA, his struggles with the Bruins, and the factors that ultimately led to his departure.
A Perceived NFL Snub
After being shut out for head coaching jobs despite his success with the Chiefs, Bieniemy left to become the offensive coordinator for the Washington Commanders. The assumption was that he sought to escape the shadow of Chiefs coach Andy Reid. The fact that he had to do that in the first place was another embarrassment for the NFL.
The inability to land a head coaching job in the NFL, despite his impressive resume, fueled speculation that his chances of career advancement in the league were diminishing. One team even offered him its assistant head coach/running backs job, which Bieniemy considered a lateral move.
Bieniemy himself acknowledged the situation, stating, "I have had countless conversations and interviews with many teams, and I have been applauded and lauded. I can't say why certain decisions were or were not made but it had nothing to (do) with a lack of anything on my end."
The Allure of UCLA
Bieniemy's decision to join UCLA was seen as an opportunity to reset his career and potentially position himself for future head coaching opportunities, whether in the NFL or college. He had previous ties to the university, having coached there from 2003 to 2005. UCLA was also undergoing a period of change, with the hiring of a young, player-friendly head coach in DeShaun Foster.
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High Hopes and Initial Challenges
DeShaun Foster made headlines quickly after being named head coach at his alma mater when he hired two-time Super Bowl Champion and former Washington Commanders offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy to construct an offense for Foster's inaugural season in charge.
Bieniemy's arrival at UCLA was met with enthusiasm. He was seen as someone who could bring a winning mentality and offensive expertise to the program. "It's time," Bieniemy said that March day, alluding to big plans for a program that hasn't won a major bowl game in more than a quarter of a century. "It's time."
However, challenges soon emerged. Bieniemy's transition to UCLA was not as smooth as anticipated. Despite having talented players at his disposal, including quarterback Ethan Garbers and running back T.J. Harden, the Bruins' offense struggled to perform.
Offensive Struggles and Statistical Shortcomings
The Bruins' offense struggled mightily under Bieniemy's leadership. The team averaged a mere 18.4 points per game, a significant drop-off from previous seasons. In fact, UCLA's offense ranked 126th nationally among FBS teams in scoring and 117th in total offense. They also had one of the worst rushing attacks in the nation.
Ethan Garbers, who had previously shown promise, regressed as a passer, with his completion percentage declining and interception totals increasing. T.J. Harden, who had a successful 2023 season, saw his production decrease, despite the departure of another running back.
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The expletives and biting one-liners that Eric Bieniemy unleashes on a football field never cut as deep as the internal dialogue. “You’ve got to understand, I go back and kick myself in the ass - man, ‘Why’d I call this play? Why did I do that? E.B., what are you doing?’” Bieniemy told The Times on Wednesday with a hearty chuckle.
“Just like I’m hard on them, I’m even harder on myself because it’s my job to make sure that I’m giving them the best opportunity. There’s a few calls that I know I would love to take back and if you could, if I had an opportunity to be a time traveler, certain things would be different.”
The Bruin offense produced just one touchdown in each of UCLA’s first two games heading into a Saturday showdown between the Bruins (1-1) and No. 16 Louisiana State (2-1) at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, La. UCLA was averaging 14.5 points, ranking No. 126 out of 133 major college teams.
Clash of Styles and Scheme Fit
One of the primary reasons for the offensive struggles was Bieniemy's insistence on implementing his complex scheme, regardless of whether it suited the players' strengths. As one report noted, Bieniemy was trying to force round pegs into square holes.
Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated highlighted Bieniemy's inflexibility, stating that he "never really changed the way he did things" and was "a bit stubborn in how he copy and pasted Andy Reid's offense… in Washington."
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Bieniemy also wasn't as keen on explaining the "why" behind his schemes/gameplans which, according to Breer "is something players now often want".
Abrasive Coaching Style
In addition to scheme issues, Bieniemy's coaching style reportedly rubbed some players the wrong way. While some appreciated his directness and accountability, others found his approach abrasive and demanding.
As Mahomes once said, "EB is going to be harsh on you. He's going to really try and get the best out of you every single day. He's going to hold you accountable when you don't want to hold yourself accountable. (His coaching) made me a better player."
Ron Rivera, who hired Bieniemy as the Washington Commanders' offensive coordinator, noted that Bieniemy "treated everybody the same, and that's kind of funny because some of the guys who were stars felt that they shouldn't be talked to that way; but he talked to everybody that way and that was just him, that's who he is."
Early Departure
After just one season, Eric Bieniemy and UCLA mutually parted ways. While Bieniemy's agent claimed that this was always the plan, the timing and circumstances surrounding his departure raised questions.
Bieniemy’s agent, Jason Fletcher, said his plan was to always return to the NFL after a year in college football. "Eric and UCLA mutually parted ways today as previously planned. He’s still getting paid by the Commanders. After interviewing for head coaching jobs last year, he wanted to stay active and busy. So, he decided to go help out Deshaun Foster, who is like his little brother, at UCLA as opposed to sitting out a year. The plan was always to return to the NFL in 2025, and he’s looking forward to the opportunities ahead," Fletcher said in a statement obtained by NFL Network.
UCLA's quick move to hire Tino Sunseri as the new offensive coordinator further fueled doubts about the official explanation.
Aftermath and Future Prospects
Following his departure from UCLA, Bieniemy's future in coaching remains uncertain. While his agent has expressed his desire to return to the NFL, his recent struggles may make it difficult for him to land a prominent position.
Some have suggested that a return to the Kansas City Chiefs, where he previously enjoyed success, could be a possibility. However, it remains to be seen whether such a move would be mutually agreeable.
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