UCLA has moved on from offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy.

NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero shared a statement from Bieniemy’s agent Jason Fletcher, who said this was a mutual decision and “previously planned.”

“He’s still being paid by the commanders,” Fletcher said. “After applying for a head coaching job last year, he wanted to stay active and busy. So he decided to help Deshaun Foster, who is like his little brother, at UCLA instead of sitting out a year. “The plan was always.” He wants to return to the NFL in 2025 and is excited about the opportunities ahead.

Bieniemy joined the Bruins team ahead of the 2024 season. Their offense ranked 117th in yards (328.8) and 126th in scoring (18.4 points), while the team went 5-7 overall and 3-6 in the Big Ten.

UCLA lost its leading 2023 passer, Dante Moore, which was a major blow as the 5-star recruit was expected to be a key part of the offense long-term. However, leading rusher TJ Harden returned, as did the top three pass catchers (wide receivers Logan Loya and J. Michael Sturdivant and tight end Moliki Matavao). Senior quarterback Ethan Garbers had some starting experience.

Additionally, promoting Foster from running backs coach to head coach to replace Chip Kelly provided some continuity.

No one expected the Bruins to be an elite offensive unit, but there’s no way they should have been at the bottom of the FBS.

While this was all intentional, it’s hard to imagine how the short time he spent at UCLA helped strengthen Bienemy’s coaching stock.

Just a few seasons ago, he was considered a must-see candidate for any available position in the NFL. He won two Super Bowls as offensive coordinator for the Kansas City Chiefs and the team was top five in yards and points in all but one of the five years he served in that role.

However, when it was time for Bieniemy to leave Kansas City, he switched sides and joined the Washington Commanders as their OC in 2023. The Commanders’ offense steadily declined over the course of the regular season and he was not retained by New Head Coach Dan Quinn, who was hired last spring.

Now Bieniemy is back on the coaching market, having had two chances to prove he could succeed outside of the Chiefs ecosystem and struggling each time. According to his resume, he should be able to get another job in the NFL this offseason, but it feels like he’ll have to prove himself all over again if he wants to continue being a head coach.