LOS ANGELES — Eric Bieniemy’s tenure at UCLA has come to an end after just one season, as he was let go following a disappointing performance from the Bruins’ offense. The team struggled significantly, ranking among the lowest in the nation in various offensive categories this season.
Bieniemy took on the role of associate head coach and offensive coordinator in February, shortly after DeShaun Foster was appointed head coach. He previously worked with the Bruins as a running backs coach from 2003 to 2005, and his return was anticipated to bring a notable impact. However, the offensive results fell short of expectations.
His agent, Jason Fletcher, mentioned in a statement that Bieniemy initially intended to stay only for a short period at UCLA, describing the departure as a “mutual parting of the ways.” Although Bieniemy had signed a two-year contract, which included a retention bonus for staying through the 2025 season, the surprising end to his stint was attributed to the underperformance of the team’s offense.
The Bruins ended up 117th out of 134 teams in total offense, averaging just 328.8 yards per game and ranking 126th in scoring with an average of 18.4 points. On top of that, the team’s rushing game was among the weakest in the nation, placing fifth-worst at just 86.6 yards per game. This performance was particularly disappointing, especially in their inaugural season in the Big Ten, following three successive bowl appearances.
Players on the team expressed challenges in adapting to Bieniemy’s system, noting it was hard to understand and that play calling at times was overly complicated. Despite a strong track record as a two-time Super Bowl-winning offensive coordinator with the Kansas City Chiefs, his recent coaching paths have not yielded success.
Bieniemy’s previous role as offensive coordinator for the Washington Commanders also ended unfavorably, with the team opting not to retain him after head coach Ron Rivera’s dismissal. While Bieniemy maintained he was not fired from his position, he opted to focus on his current role and avoided elaborating on potential future opportunities when questioned during spring practices.
New Commanders head coach Dan Quinn did not keep Bieniemy on staff, further adding to the uncertainty around his coaching career. Despite being a sought-after candidate for head coaching positions, Bieniemy has not secured a role of that nature, even after interviewing with several NFL teams.
Fletcher stated that Bieniemy always had plans to return to the NFL in 2025 and remains optimistic about future prospects.
