After a single season leading the UCLA Bruins offense, Eric Bieniemy and the university have mutually agreed to part ways. Bieniemy's agent, Jason Fletcher, clarified that this departure was always part of the plan, with Bieniemy intending to return to the NFL in 2025. Fletcher explained that Bieniemy chose to spend the year at UCLA, assisting his close friend and Bruins head coach Deshaun Foster, rather than remaining inactive after interviewing for NFL head coaching positions last year.
Bieniemy's most recent NFL role was as offensive coordinator for the Washington Commanders in 2023. The team struggled that season, finishing 4-13 and ranking 25th in points per game with an average of 19.4. Following the season, head coach Ron Rivera and his staff, including Bieniemy, were let go.
Prior to his time in Washington, Bieniemy served as the Kansas City Chiefs' offensive coordinator from 2018 to 2022, gaining recognition as a potential head coaching candidate. Despite interviewing for several head coaching positions in 2022, he ultimately joined the Commanders, hoping to further his career and eventually secure a head coaching role.
In their first season under Deshaun Foster, UCLA finished with a 5-7 record (3-6 in the Big Ten). Their offense averaged just 18.4 points per game, ranking among the lowest-scoring teams in Division 1 college football.
