Former Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy has found a new coaching home, but it's not back with the Chiefs. Bieniemy's next stop is a familiar one, as he's returning to the college ranks.
According to Pete Thamel and Adam Schefter of ESPN, Bieniemy is finalizing a two-year deal to be the associate head coach/offensive coordinator of the UCLA Bruins under new head coach DeShaun Foster. Thamel and Schefter's story details Bieniemy's path back to UCLA:
Bieniemy had opportunities to remain in the NFL. He interviewed for the Commanders' head-coaching job and two other offensive coordinator jobs. Bieniemy said one NFL team offered him its assistant head coach/running backs job. But ultimately, he took his time and found his way back to school.
"I have had countless conversations and interviews with many teams, and I have been applauded and lauded," Bieniemy 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."
Bieniemy was the Chiefs' offensive coordinator from 2018 to 2022, winning two Super Bowls before leaving to be the Washington Commanders' offensive coordinator in 2023 after failing to land an NFL head coaching job, which head coach Andy Reid's previous offensive coordinators in Kansas City — Doug Pederson and Matt Nagy — both received after less time as KC's offensive coordinator.
In the week leading up to Super Bowl LVIII, Adam Teicher of ESPN asked Chiefs head coach Andy Reid if he had been in touch with Bieniemy in recent weeks, and Reid revealed that Bieniemy spoke to the team ahead of their AFC Championship Game showdown with the Baltimore Ravens.
"I did, he actually came in and talked to our team before our last game," Reid said. "He talked to the offensive guys and hung out with us in our meetings. I have had a chance to talk to him. He's still up for a couple jobs."
Teicher then asked Reid what he thought of Bieniemy's coaching future and if he could have a spot in Kansas City in 2024 if his other options didn't work out.
"I can't answer the last part because I have no spots right now," Reid said. "But I would tell you I think his coaching future is great. I'm obviously a big fan of his, and I know the things he can do."
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes was asked about Bieniemy's impact ahead of the AFC Championship Game, and Mahomes reiterated what he and other Chiefs players have often echoed: Bieniemy brought an energy to the team that seems unique to him.
"It's always great to have EB in the building," Mahomes said. "Just being there, the energy he brings and the mentality he brings, you can feel it. He has that intensity, but he loves it. He loves being there, he loves being a part of the team and being a part of that culture. Just having him back in the building was really cool. Listening to him talk and his energy, you could ask guys, I think guys had a little bit of chill-bumps like, 'EB's back here.' Obviously, he didn't get that head coaching opportunity, but I'm excited for him to continue to coach football and continue to make his impact on the game."
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