Sources: Bieniemy nearing deal to be UCLA’s OC

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• Adam Schefter ESPN Senior Citizen Writer ESPN NFL Insider Signed up with ESPN in 2009
• Previous president of the Pro Football Writers of America and the author of 4 books

Feb 24, 2024, 07:17 PM ET

Previous Washington Commanders offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy is settling a two-year offer to join UCLA’s personnel as the Bruins’ associate head coach/offensive organizer, sources informed ESPN on Saturday night.The move marks a significant hire for brand-new UCLA coach DeShaun Foster, who intends to create an NFL identity with the Bruins. It also marks a homecoming for Bieniemy, who grew up in the location and was a Bruins assistant from 2003-05.

“Southern California,” Bieniemy wrote in an e-mail Saturday. “I went to high school there. I started my profession in the league here [with the Chargers] It’s certainly great to be back with the Bruins, where I was previously used.”

Bieniemy had chances to remain in the NFL. He interviewed for the Leaders’ head-coaching task, and 2 other offensive coordinator jobs. Bieniemy stated one NFL team provided him its assistant head coach/running backs task. But eventually, he took his time and discovered his method back to school.

“I have had numerous conversations and interviews with lots of groups, and I have actually been praised and lauded,” Bieniemy composed. “I can’t state why certain choices were or were not made but it had nothing to [do] with an absence of anything on my end.

“My self-dignity, worth, stability, personhood, manhood will never ever 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 guys, to do what I love, follow my enthusiasm and my dreams while not jeopardizing on who I am as a guy.”

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It will be Bieniemy’s very first college job because working as Colorado’s offensive coordinator from 2011 to 2012. Foster prioritized working with a coach with Bieniemy’s experience– and Bieniemy was similarly as excited about trying to assist UCLA’s rookie head coach.For Foster

, who is entering his first season as a head coach, the hire is an essential one. Foster does not have planner experience. By bringing in someone with Bieniemy’s breadth of experience, he has started to set the vision of what UCLA will appear like on that side of the ball. Previous head coach Chip Kelly functioned as UCLA’s offensive playcaller in recent seasons.

“This is a great opportunity for me to help support DeShaun as a head coach, to work with him and to work for him too,” Bieniemy composed. “My goal is to assist him to be a successful head coach in our occupation.

“It’s an opportunity for my family and I to return back to a place that we as soon as called home.”

Bieniemy brings 16 years of NFL experience to the Bruins. Bieniemy spent the 2023 season as the Commanders’ offensive planner and won 2 Super Bowls as the Kansas City Chiefs’ offending organizer, a function he held from 2018 to 2022.

As a coach who went to 5 straight conference championship games that consisted of 3 Super Bowl looks because period, Bieniemy thinks he brings a lot to the Bruins that can equate on the recruiting path.

“My objective is to assist create some enjoyment for potential student-athletes to consider participating in UCLA as we jointly get ready for the relocate to the Big 10 Conference in recruiting,” he wrote.There have been other coaches who have actually gone from the NFL back to college and succeeded. Bieniemy mentioned that Nick Saban, Jim Harbaugh, Costs O’Brien and Kliff Kingsbury did it. Now he is doing the very same, leaving the NFL and returning to school, with an eye of conquering his brand-new world. “I have no remorses with the Leaders

,” Bieniemy composed.” Contrary to what some believe and what has been put out in the media, I was not fired. I actually simply chose not to remain. Learned a lot and that is constantly a good thing.”I will continue my walk in my peace. I’m thrilled to be here and to coach these young men and football once again. My expectations and desire to be exceptional will never ever be turned down. I’m fired up. Let’s go.”