Commanders deep dive: How Eric Bieniemy's past can shape Washington's future

Eric Bieniemy's early coaching career

Eric Bieniemy began his coaching journey in 2000, securing his first job as an assistant football coach at Thomas Jefferson High School in Denver.

He went on to become the running backs coach at the University of Colorado the following year, also finishing his degree in sociology while working as an assistant in Boulder during the 2001 and 2002 seasons.

From 2003 to 2005, Bieniemy worked as the running backs coach at UCLA and was also the team's recruiting coordinator during his final year with the program. After the Bruins' 2005 Sun Bowl win, he accepted a role to join the Minnesota Vikings as running backs coach.

During his time with the Vikings, future Pro Football Hall of Fame running back Adrian Peterson twice led the NFC in rushing, topping the entire NFL with 1,760 yards in 2008. Although this was primarily due to Peterson's all-world abilities, Bienemy's influence in his unforgettable rise to superstardom cannot be overlooked.

In 2010, Bieniemy again returned to his alma mater, serving as the offensive coordinator in Boulder until his return to the NFL with Andy Reid and the Kansas City Chiefs in 2013.