SUMMARY
- Eric Bieniemy joins a new position as an associate coach at the college level.
- However, many have speculated that the coach was fired from the Washington Commanders.
Eric Bieniemy takes a sabbatical from the NFL as he ends his association with the Washington Commanders and joins a new position as an associate head coach at the college level. He pulls the plug on a 14-year streak with the Commanders and shifts to UCLA. Many speculations arose that the coach was fired from the team, but the truth says something else.
In an email sent to ESPN, Eric confirmed his switch to college football. He also mentioned that he had the option to continue with the Commanders, but he chose not to. The coach has also said that he has no regrets about quitting his previous team. He has undergone a rigorous process to get selected for his new position.
BREAKING NEWS: Two-time Super Bowl champion Eric Bieniemy is joining UCLA’s new coaching staff as their associate head coach/OC in what he exclusively tells @JosinaAnderson and me is a “great opportunity.”https://t.co/4WXZZDrS19 https://t.co/PBw5V5CqvR
— Garrett Podell (@garrettpodell) February 25, 2024
Eric had a college coaching career much earlier in his life and is now retracing his steps back to it. Before joining the Commanders, he was an associate head coach and offensive coordinator. He was a member of Andy Reid’s coaching staff in the Chiefs since 2013. Bieniemy has yet to secure a position as head coach, despite having been considered for the same post multiple times.
What did Eric Bieniemy say about leaving the Commanders?
Eric Bieniemy left the coordinators by choice and left a cryptic farewell note to his former team. He shared with ESPN that he did not want to pursue his career any further with the Commanders. He said that he doesn’t repent even an iota about switching to college football and pulling the plug on his NFL career for the time being.
Eric also said that he had been interviewing for better posts, but unfortunately, things have not worked out well in his favor. He added, “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.” This step would make it difficult for Eric to remain relevant for the NFL openings. Although his substantial potential value for a football team can’t be ignored.
Eric Bieniemy joins the UCLA Bruins on a two-year long contract
Eric made an ambiguous decision to trace his steps back to college football and quit the NFL. When asked about his decision, he said that what he values most is his dignity and integrity, rather than money. He has had a lot of experience with the Commanders, but with UCLA, he can make better use of his skills and experience.
Former Commanders offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy is finalizing a two-year deal to join UCLA’s staff as its Associate Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator, sources tell ESPN’s @PeteThamel and me. pic.twitter.com/v9EFyoU19B
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 25, 2024
His new alliance with the head coach, DeShaun Foster, will help him explore his potential completely. The 54-year-old coach has quite an uneven trajectory because of the questionable choices that he has made throughout his career. Despite this, he has been able to achieve a lot and bring in many accolades for his teams.