Eric Bieniemy spent this past season in the college ranks, but he has his eyes on a new opportunity at the pro level. The veteran coach will not return to UCLA in 2025, and he instead hopes to land an NFL gig. 
Bieniemy took a job with the Bruins in February, but he will not remain in place. The sides are moving on, as first reported by Yahoo! Sports’ Ross Dellenger. UCLA ranked 117th in total offense this year, as Dellenger notes, something which could hinder Bieniemy’s stock in the 2025 coaching cycle.
“Eric and UCLA mutually parted ways today as previously planned,” a statement from Bieniemy’s agent reads in part (h/t Tom Pelissero of NFL Network). “He’s still getting paid by the Commanders. After interviewing for head coaching jobs last year, he wanted to stay active and busy… The plan was always to return to the NFL in 2025, and he’s looking forward to the opportunities ahead.”
The 55-year-old had a stint at UCLA before his first NFL opportunity came in 2006 with the Vikings. That tenure (as the team’s running backs coach) was followed by two years as Colorado’s offensive coordinator. Bieniemy returned to the NFL ranks in 2013 with the Chiefs, spending time at first as the team’s RBs coach and – from 2018-22 – as OC. Head coach Andy Reid repeatedly campaigned for Bieniemy to receive a head coaching gig, but his interviews with a number of interested parties did not yield a hire.
In 2023, Bieniemy took the Commanders’ offensive coordinator gig, giving him the opportunity to call plays (unlike his Chiefs tenure). Washington ranked near the bottom of the league in many categories that year, and sweeping changes were made on the sidelines. Head coach Ron Rivera was fired as expected, and Bieniemy was among the candidates who interviewed for the chance to replace him. In the end, the Commanders went with Dan Quinn as head coach and Kliff Kingsbury as offensive coordinator, leaving Bieniemy in need of a different opportunity for the 2024 season.
Now that his one-and-done second stint at UCLA is over, attention will once again turn to Bieniemy’s NFL coaching stock. Two OC changes have been made this season, with the Raiders firing Luke Getsy and the Bears moving on from Shane Waldron (and shortly thereafter tapping his replacement, Thomas Brown, as interim head coach). A full-time hire could come from outside the organization in one or both cases, and a number of other vacancies will no doubt open up in the near future (to say nothing of the HC openings which will be in place this winter). Bieniemy will once again be a name to watch as the 2025 hiring cycle unfolds.
His agent can say whatever he likes. UCLA fired him. Lmao
His stock kinda fell.
Hopefully going back to the NFL gets him in the right role and the right trajectory.
I guess as long as he doesn’t call plays he’ll be alright
Just felt he passed way too often which caused close to 70 sacks last year. Gotta have a balanced offense
Their defense gave up the most points in football last year. Hard to run the ball a ton when you’re always behind.
He was a decent RB, but isn’t he a little old for a comeback?
His career and the Chiefs offense have both taken a step back since he left KC. Maybe there’s a position there for him. I’ve lost faith in Nagy personally.
NFL teams seemed to favor retreads instead of new blood for years, now that’s changed but they left Bienemy behind. Maybe he just doesn’t interview well or maybe he’s not as good as the sports writers think he is. Doesn’t look like he’s a good play caller after Washington, but a lame duck head coach and a lame QB probably contributed to that. In my humble opinion the guy deserves a chance. But I’m not an owner or GM, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn last night.