Eric Bieniemy came to the Washington Commanders in 2023 with significant fanfare attached following a trophy-laden spell with the Kansas City Chiefs. Just two seasons later, he's been removed from two separate jobs.
The Commanders interviewed Bieniemy for their vacant head coaching position earlier this year. This seemed like a token gesture more than anything, especially considering how the offensive coordinator rubbed players the wrong way and failed to find the right balance on offense.
It came as no surprise to see his efforts to get the top job in Washington fall flat. Dan Quinn was preferred — a genuine leader of men with proven credentials in a head coaching environment. After a frank discussion with Bieniemy, the new man in charge made him surplus to requirements.
Bieniemy was seemingly cast aside by the NFL with his reputation in tatters. He found solace at the college level, getting a job as UCLA's offensive coordinator after a call from new Bruins' head coach Deshaun Foster. It didn't go well.
Commanders were right to move on from Eric Bieniemy
UCLA's offense was ranked 117th in the country. Bieniemy won't be part of their plans moving forward, which the coach's agent Jason Fletcher stated was a mutual arrangement in a statement obtained by Tom Pelissero from the NFL Network.
"Eric and UCLA mutually parted ways today as previously planned. He’s still getting paid by the Commanders. After interviewing for head coaching jobs last year, he wanted to stay active and busy. So, he decided to go help out Deshaun Foster, who is like his little brother, at UCLA as opposed to sitting out a year. The plan was always to return to the NFL in 2025, and he’s looking forward to the opportunities ahead."Jason Fletcher
What the future holds for Bieniemy is unclear. His dreams of being an NFL head coach have evaporated. Perhaps a coaching position somewhere in the league might arrive, but this vindicates the Commanders' decision to go in a different direction.
Reading between the lines, it seems Bieniemy's hard-nosed approach and unwillingness to alter his methods don't sit well with the modern-day player. Entrusting him with rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels' development was a gamble Quinn wasn't willing to make. He had a much better alternative in mind.
Swooping at the 11th hour for Kliff Kingsbury when he looked set to join the Las Vegas Raiders was a masterstroke. He formed a close relationship with Daniels. His efficient, well-balanced offense is night and day compared to anything Bieniemy implemented. There is a clear vision and professional purpose — two things that were sorely lacking under the previous regime.
Just how long Kingsbury sticks around is the big question. There are already rumblings about potential head coaching interest from around the league. Two respected insiders — Ian Rapoport from the NFL Network and Jeremy Fowler of ESPN — both linked the play-caller with the Chicago Bears vacancy. The Commanders need to form a contingency plan in the event he does leave for a second opportunity at a top job.
As for Bieniemy? His future is more uncertain than ever. And in all honesty, the game might have passed him by.
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