Eric Bieniemy obtained a hero’s welcome upon his arrival in March, co-workers lining the hallway inside UCLA’s apply facility to serenade him with applause.
The new offensive coordinator eliminated certainly one of his Super Bowl rings in order that DeShaun Foster, his new boss, may examine it.
“It’s time,” Bienemy stated that day, referring to his plans to do massive issues. “It’s time.”
Nine months later, after a season wherein the Bruins’ offense ranked as one of many worst within the nation and several other high gamers regressed from their earlier type, Bieniemy’s boss determined it was time to maneuver on.
UCLA has parted methods with affiliate head coach and offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy.
(Joseph Reedy / Associated Press)
In a improvement that confirmed each an admission of constructing the flawed rent and a willingness to rapidly pivot, Foster severed ties with Bieniemy on Thursday after their one season collectively produced across-the-board struggles on offense.
Foster secured an intriguing substitute, agreeing to rent Indiana quarterbacks coach and co-offensive coordinator Tino Sunseri after the tip of the Hoosiers’ season, in response to one particular person near the state of affairs not licensed to publicly disclose the data as a result of the transfer has not been made official.
Sunseri, who will flip 36 later this month, was one of many architects of an Indiana offense that’s been among the many greatest within the nation, averaging 43.3 factors per recreation whereas vaulting the Hoosiers towards an anticipated look within the College Football Playoff.
UCLA averaged lower than half that determine beneath Bieniemy. The Bruins ranked No. 117 within the nation in complete offense (328.8 yards per recreation), No. 126 in scoring offense (18.4 factors per recreation) and No. 130 in speeding offense (86.6 yards per recreation). The Bruins’ incapability to run the ball was particularly maddening on condition that each Foster and Bieniemy had success as operating backs within the NFL.
Several high gamers entered the switch portal after the workforce’s ultimate recreation final weekend, together with quarterback Justyn Martin, operating again TJ Harden and slot receiver Logan Loya. The Bruins additionally misplaced highschool recruits Madden Iamaleava and Jace Brown on Wednesday after they signed with Arkansas amid rumors of Bieniemy’s dismissal.
Bieniemy’s agent, Jason Fletcher, labeled Bieniemy’s departure as a mutual parting of the methods in a press release, saying the previous offensive coordinator with the Washington Commanders was nonetheless being paid by the NFL workforce and was helping Foster for one season earlier than making a deliberate return to the NFL in 2025.
But that assertion doesn’t jibe with the phrases of a two-year contract that included $550,000 in retention bonuses if Bieniemy remained on the job by the tip of July. It additionally doesn’t maintain up on condition that Bieniemy recruited for the Bruins and didn’t have a brand new job to announce on the time of his departure Bieniemy was set to obtain a $180,000 hiring bonus on Saturday.
After flaming out in his one season with the Commanders, Bieniemy, 55, was bombastic in his return to UCLA after having beforehand served because the operating backs coach beneath Karl Dorrell. He routinely unleashed a flurry of expletives and biting one-liners that carried throughout the apply subject. Players stated Bieniemy’s performs had been wordy and arduous to be taught, and the outcomes mirrored these struggles.
Veteran quarterback Ethan Garbers and Harden each failed to duplicate their manufacturing from the earlier 12 months beneath coach Chip Kelly, who additionally ran the workforce’s offense.
Bieniemy was additionally pivotal within the hiring of offensive line coach Juan Castillo after they’d labored along with the Commanders. UCLA’s offensive line was one of many workforce’s most underperforming place teams final season, permitting 34 sacks and failing to open sufficient holes for the operating backs. ESPN reported that Castillo isn’t anticipated to return subsequent season.
Bieniemy’s UCLA offense by no means remotely resembled those he helped assemble with the Kansas City Chiefs whereas profitable Super Bowls in 2020 and 2023.
Foster is predicted to make different adjustments to his workers, together with the addition of Demetrice Martin to assist coach the secondary. His largest transfer could also be bidding farewell to the offensive coordinator who didn’t dwell as much as the hype.
