Eric Bieniemy out as UCLA OC, hoping for NFL return: reports

Eric Bieniemy’s return to the college ranks is over after one season.

According to multiple reports, the highly respected coach has left as offensive coordinator at UCLA after one season with the Bruins. Yahoo Sports was first to report the move.

According to a statement sent to NFL Network by Bieniemy’s agent Jason Fletcher, Bieniemy and UCLA have parted ways and he is seeking a return to the NFL.

“After interviewing for a head coaching job last year, (Bieniemy) wanted to stay active and busy,” the statement said. “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 to return to the NFL in 2025 and he looks forward to the opportunities ahead.”

Bieniemy, once an NFL head coaching candidate, returned to the college ranks at a school he attended early in his coaching career. The hope was that the veteran play caller would help bolster UCLA’s offense under first-year head coach Foster in the school’s first season in the Big Ten.

However, the Bruins offense has struggled all season. The unit averaged 18.4 points per game – 126th in Division I out of 133 teams and third-worst in the Big Ten – and scored more than 20 points in a contest just twice. While the passing game under senior quarterback Ethan Garbers performed well with 242.2 yards per game (46th), the running game struggled with 86.6 yards per game, fourth-worst in the country. Overall, the offense ranked 117th nationally in total offense as the team finished 5-7 and 3-6 in the Big Ten.

Bieniemy rose to fame when he was a member of the Kansas City Chiefs. After joining the staff in 2013, Bieniemy eventually became offensive coordinator and orchestrated the start of the team’s dynasty, with Patrick Mahomes becoming the NFL’s top player. With Bieniemy’s plays, Kansas City won two Super Bowls and appeared in the title game three times in four years.

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Eric Bieniemy out as UCLA OC, hoping for NFL return: reports

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