Rejected by Commanders, Patrick Mahomes’s Favorite OC Eric Bieniemy Accedes to College Football for Multi-Year Deal

Eric Bieniemy is leaving the pro leagues or college football. Earlier, Commander’s head coach Ron Rivera publicly addressed concerns raised by some players about Bieniemy’s coaching style, sparking controversy. Despite Bieniemy receiving support from former colleagues, he wasn’t retained.

But now, it seems that Eric Bieniemy has finally found a home for the 2024 season. He is joining the UCLA football program as OC cum Associate Head Coach. Let’s discuss the circumstances around Patrick Mahomes’ favorite OC’s move from Kansas to Washington to UCLA.

Eric Bieniemy’s fresh transition into college football

Eric Bieniemy, former offensive coordinator for the Kansas City Chiefs has been searching for new opportunities since leaving Washington. He had been exploring various NFL positions, including a possible return to Kansas City. However, he has chosen to transition to college football to revitalize his career.

Bieniemy is now the Associate Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator at UCLA. This move marks the first significant decision by UCLA’s new coach, DeShaun Foster, following Chip Kelly’s departure. However, the move was not made under desirable conditions on Bieniemy’s part. After spending five years as the Chiefs’ offensive coordinator, Bieniemy’s transition to the Commanders in 2022 did not yield the desired outcome after a dismal season. Despite interviewing for the head coach in Washington, he was passed over in favor of Dan Quinn, indicating a setback in his career aspirations. 

Bieniemy’s challenges and the uphill climb

Journalist Rob Maadi was quite clear in his post regarding the OC, “Eric Bieniemy’s only NFL offers were to be a RBs coach or a pass-game coordinator. That would’ve been a step back for an offensive coordinator with 2 Super Bowl rings.” 

However, some of EB’s former colleagues like Patrick Mahomes were in praise of him. Mahomes even clarified that “[Eric Bieniemy] is going to be harsh on you, he is going to really try to get the best out of you every single day,” Mahomes explained. “He is going to hold you accountable whenever you don’t want to hold yourself accountable. It made me a better player.”

Read More: Fired Coach From Magic Johnson’s NFL Team Draws Unfortunate NBA Comparisons

Bieniemy’s move to UCLA signifies a notable shift in his career path. This move might seem like a downgrade from his NFL positions. Yet, it offers him a chance to display his coaching skills in a new setting. Only time will reveal if this change helps him progress toward his dream of becoming an NFL head coach.