Pasadena, California – Eric Bieniemy has officially parted ways with UCLA after just one season as the school’s offensive coordinator. According to Bieniemy’s agent, Jason Fletcher, this decision was part of a pre-existing plan, as Bieniemy is aiming to return to the NFL in 2025.
“Eric and UCLA mutually parted ways today as previously planned,” Fletcher explained. “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 help out his colleague Deshaun Foster at UCLA instead of sitting out a year.”
The 55-year-old Bieniemy was last seen in the NFL coaching the Washington Commanders’ offense in 2023. Under his guidance, the Commanders finished the season with a disappointing 4-13 record, ranking 25th in the league for points per game, with an average of just 19.4 points. This followed a season where head coach Ron Rivera was dismissed at the end of the year, leading to a complete overhaul of the coaching staff.
Prior to his time in Washington, Bieniemy was known for his success with the Kansas City Chiefs from 2018 to 2022. He gained significant recognition during that time but only received one interview for a head coaching position out of five openings in 2022. His move to the Commanders was seen as an opportunity to prove his abilities and eventually land a head coaching gig.
During Bieniemy’s short stint at UCLA, the Bruins posted a 5-7 record and struggled on offense, averaging only 18.4 points per game. This statistic placed them among the bottom of college football’s scoring teams.
While Bieniemy is now focusing on his future plans, he looks forward to the opportunities that await him in his return to the NFL.
