Many wondered when Eric Bieniemy would take the next step from offensive coordinator to head coach in the NFL.
Things didn’t look promising when new Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn didn’t retain him, but few could have predicted this.
In a shocking move, he will reportedly return to UCLA, where he coached 20 years ago.
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Washington Commanders assistant head coach and offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy gestures during minicamp at OrthoVirginia Training Center at Commanders Park on June 8, 2023 in Ashburn, Virginia. (Jeff Burke/USA Today Sports)
“This is a great opportunity for me to help support Deshaun. [Foster] As the new head coach, I’m going to work with him and for him,” Bieniemy told CBS Sports.
“This is an opportunity for my family and I to return to a place we once called home. This is a great opportunity for me to leverage all of my experience working with future Hall of Fame players and Hall of Fame head coaches.” [Andy Reid] To help teach and inspire young people about what it takes to succeed on and off the field. ”
The 54-year-old’s contract is for two years, according to ESPN.
“While I have chosen to maintain a low profile during this recruiting process, my experience garnered a lot of interest from a number of NFL teams prior to coming to this decision.”
Washington Commanders assistant head coach and offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy reacts during training camp at the Ortho Virginia Training Center on July 28, 2022 in Ashburn, Virginia. (Scott Tetch/Getty Images)
Bieniemy has become a hot candidate after his success as offensive coordinator for the Kansas City Chiefs. He spent 10 seasons with the Chiefs, winning two Super Bowls with Kansas City before heading to Washington.
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But Bieniemy was unable to achieve the same success in the capital. Washington quarterback Sam Howell is no Patrick Mahomes, but the Commanders went 4-13 and ranked 21st in yards per game on offense.
UCLA had a coaching change this offseason. Chip Kelly left his head coaching position with the Bruins and joined Ohio State as offensive coordinator earlier this month.
Offensive coordinators speak with Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid before the AFC Divisional Playoff game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Arrowhead Stadium on January 21, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. Eric Bieniemy (left). (David Urit/Getty Images)
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UCLA went 8-5 last season but finished 4-5 in conference play. The Bruins will play in the Big Ten next season.
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