Eric Bieniemy, the offensive coordinator for the Kansas City Chiefs and former Washington Commanders, has not had an easy time without what is perhaps the best quarterback of all time.
On December 5, Ross Dellenger, a college football journalist for Yahoo Sports, revealed that Bieniemy had been let go as UCLA’s offensive coordinator after just one season. Bieniemy was let go by the Commanders after the 2023 season, and this is the second time in a row that he has been let go after just one season.
“The offensive coordinator at UCLA is changing. “Sources tell @YahooSports that Eric Bieniemy is out,” Dellenger said on his official X account. “The Bruins’ season-ending total offense ranking was 117th.”
In its inaugural Big Ten season in 2024, UCLA finished 5-7 overall, with a 3-6 Big Ten record. The Bruins rank 16th in terms of scoring offense (18.4 points) and 15th out of 18 Big Ten teams in terms of overall offense.
The Chiefs won two Super Bowls and participated in another during Bieniemy’s ten seasons as an assistant coach, including five seasons as offensive coordinator from 2018 to 2022, which coincided with two-time NFL MVP quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ first five seasons as a starter.
No One Enjoyed Bieniemy’s Stay in Washington
Bieniemy’s tenure as offensive coordinator in Kansas City appeared to be one of those “in name only” circumstances. He was, at best, head coach Andy Reid’s co-offensive coordinator during practice, and he was really the third person in the room to call plays behind Reid and Mahomes.
After multiple unsuccessful attempts to become a head coach, Bieniemy was eager to establish himself independently. He joined the Commanders, went 4–13 in his first season, and immediately alienated people.
During his one season as offensive coordinator, Bieniemy attempted to enforce a rule on offensive players: No caps worn backwards. Commanders guard Sam Cosmi told The Washington Post’s Candace Buckner a strange anecdote about it in June 2024.
Trying to control the attire of multimillionaire athletes is not a top priority for the majority of NFL offensive coordinators. To the extent that squandering energy on it could be viewed as a drawback when that time could be used for other things, like creating a strategy.
Buckner stated, “Eric Bieniemy came to town to run the offense last season.” He also brought some ridiculous laws that didn’t make sense, along with a new title that gave him authority. including a regulation on the proper way for adult men to wear hats.
Strange Reaction to Coaching Style Criticism
There were other peculiar aspects of Bieniemy’s time in Washington besides the sideways hat regulation. Ron Rivera, the former head coach of the Commanders, was asked why players were upset with Bieniemy’s harsh methods very immediately.
In his remarks to Sports Illustrated, Bieniemy discussed the players’ grievances in the third person, while Rivera supported his offensive coordinator.
Bieniemy declared, “Eric Bieniemy is who he is.” “Eric Bieniemy is able to change and adapt.” In addition to being a rigorous, hard-nosed coach, Eric Bieniemy understands that I will be their largest and toughest critic. However, because I have their back, I am also their biggest supporter.
