Bieniemy concentrated on UCLA offense, not NFL exit
LOS ANGELES– Eric Bieniemy’s focus is on examining UCLA’s offense. Not on what brought him back to Westwood.Speaking to reporters for the first time given that being worked with as UCLA’s offending planner and associate head coach, Bieniemy didn’t want to discuss what took place after his lone season as offending organizer for the Washington Commanders– or other opportunities he needed to stay in the NFL.”What I’m going say is this: I’m here training
at UCLA. All that other stuff, you could go talk to the Commanders. I’ll leave it easily, “Bieniemy said Thursday after UCLA’s 2nd spring practice.Bieniemy, a two-time Super Bowl champ with the Kansas City Chiefs as offending coordinator, wasn’t retained by new Commanders coach Dan Quinn, who changed Ron Rivera.In an email to ESPN in late February, Bieniemy said he was not fired in Washington:” I in fact simply chose not to remain. Found out a lot, which is always a good thing.” Bieniemy got NFL offers to coach running backs or be a passing game planner for
the coming season.DeShaun Foster connected to Bieniemy after being called UCLA coach Feb. 13 when Chip Kelly left following 6 seasons to become Ohio State’s offensive coordinator.Bieniemy was on the Bruins staff from 2003 to ’05 as running backs coach. He also was the recruiting coordinator in 2005. Before accepting the OC task, Bieniemy asked Foster to let him learn a couple of things.”We have actually constantly had a relationship. I believed that was huge that he would want me to come out
, and I simply wanted to get on the chance to help DeShaun develop the program approximately his
vision,”Bieniemy said.Bieniemy has actually been vocal about what he anticipates in the very first 2 practices. He called players back into the huddle to talk about not communicating.On Tuesday, he criticized running back T.J. Harden during one drill, stating: “If you don’t like working, do not worry about it. I’ll discover somebody else.”After the first practice, Foster said that is what he gets out of Bieniemy. “He’s getting the guys going, holding them to a requirement they want to be held to. And I think that will help us get to where we wish to go, “Foster said.When it concerns what type of offense
Bieniemy and Foster wind up running at UCLA, that stays a work in progress. Bieniemy desires a varied, balanced scheme, but much of it depends upon his personnel and how much those players can take in.”The most significant thing today is making certain that as a new staff that we examine everyone and make sure we know exactly what they can do. It is going to offer us a much better understanding of their strengths and weak points and what we are going to do with the offense moving on,”Bieniemy said.The Bruins, who move to the Huge 10 this coming season, have skill returning at the skill positions, despite the fact that numerous players struggled Thursday. Quarterback Ethan Garbers had timing issues, with a number of his passes striking the ground.UCLA was 8-5 last season in its final year in the Pac-12. “There’s been some good, there’s been some bad, there’s been some unsightly from all of them, however like I stated
, it’s still early, “Bieniemy stated.”I’m not expecting us to come out and set the world on fire. What I desire us to do is simply to continue first and foremost, discover how to put consistent habits on tape. As soon as we learn how to put consistent behavior on tape,
the rest of whatever will take care of itself.” Wide receiver Logan Loya said having Bieniemy and an offending staff with NFL experience need to be a benefit.”He’s been very engaged. The energy level makes you match it, which is awesome,”Loya said. “We’re simply in the basics today. It will be crazy to see what remains in the future.”On the other hand, UCLA’s quarterback room became a bit thinner Thursday when Collin Schlee went into the transfer portal. Schlee began for Kent State early in his career before signing up with UCLA,
where he made two starts and appeared in 7 games last season.He was used primarily as a runner and balanced 10.1 yards per carry with three
goals, while including 217 passing backyards, two touchdowns and two interceptions, completing 53.2%of his attempts. Schlee was not present at practice today as UCLA opened spring drills. Senior Ethan Garbers is in line to remain the Bruins’starter.Schlee is the second player to get in the portal given that UCLA’s training modification in February. He will have one year of eligibility left.ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg and The Associated Press added to this report.