Eric Bieniemy Says He Wasn’t Fired by Commanders, ‘Chose Not to Stay’ amid UCLA Job

Scott Polacek@@ScottPolacekFeatured Columnist IVFebruary 25, 2024

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Eric Bieniemy wanted to clear the air regarding his move from the Washington Commanders to UCLA.

ESPN’s Pete Thamel and Adam Schefter reported Bieniemy is joining the Bruins on a two-year deal as the associate head coach/offensive coordinator. Yet the coach clarified in an email that he is doing so because he wants to and not because he was fired as the Washington offensive coordinator.

“I have no regrets with the Commanders,” Bieniemy wrote. “Contrary to what some think and what has been put out in the media, I was not fired. I actually just chose not to stay. Learned a lot and that is always a good thing.

“I will continue my walk in my peace. I’m excited to be here and to coach these young men and football again. My expectations and desire to be excellent will never be turned down. I’m fired up. Let’s go.”

Bieniemy grew up in Southern California and was an assistant coach for UCLA from 2003 to 2005, so this is something of a homecoming for him.

Yet he also pointed out he had other opportunities in the NFL and was not personally responsible for some decisions.

“I have had countless conversations and interviews with many teams, and I have been applauded and lauded,” he wrote. “I can’t say why certain decisions were or were not made but it had nothing to [do] with a lack of anything on my end.

“My self-dignity, worth, integrity, personhood, manhood will never be questioned or compromised. It is not always about money, either. With everything in life, it is often all about timing. At this time in my life, the opportunity affords me the pleasure of continuing to be a maker and leader of men, to do what I love, follow my passion and my dreams while not compromising on who I am as a man.”

Ultimately, he spent just one season as the Commanders’ offensive coordinator. It did not go as hoped, as the team finished in last place in the NFC East at 4-13 with an offense that was 24th in the league in yards per game and 25th in points per game.

It was a far cry from his time as the offensive coordinator for the Kansas City Chiefs from 2018 to 2022.

Kansas City won two Lombardi Trophies, advanced to three Super Bowls and made the AFC Championship Game five times during that span as the gold standard of the NFL. It certainly helps having Patrick Mahomes under center, but that time made Bieniemy a household name after he was previously an assistant for Colorado, UCLA and the Minnesota Vikings.

Now he joins a UCLA program that could be staring at a rebuilding process.

Head coach Chip Kelly left to become Ohio State’s offensive coordinator right as the Bruins are joining a difficult Big Ten that features the Buckeyes, Michigan, Penn State, Oregon, Washington and USC, among others.

New coach DeShaun Foster is facing a challenge, but he at least has a high-profile offensive coordinator with Super Bowl experience who could be quite the boost on the recruiting trail to provide some help.