Eric Bieniemy making surprise jump from NFL to take UCLA coordinator job

Eric Bieniemy has a new gig — but it’s not in the NFL.

The former Commanders offensive coordinator is finalizing a two-year deal to become the offensive coordinator and an assistant head coach at UCLA, ESPN’s Adam Schefter and Pete Thamel reported on Saturday.

Bieniemy now returns to the campus after coaching Bruins running backs from 2003-05.

“Southern California,” Bieniemy wrote in an email Saturday to ESPN. “I attended high school there. I started my career in the league here [with the Chargers]. It’s obviously great to be back with the Bruins, where I was previously employed.”

Bieniemy came to prominence with the Chiefs, joining the team as a coach in 2013 before becoming the offensive coordinator in 2018.

He won two Super Bowls (2020, 2022) as the offense flourished under stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce.

He joined the Washington staff this past season, but the team floundered to a 4-13 mark as the offense ranked 24th in the NFL in yards per game (312.8) as starter Sam Howell struggled.

Head coach Ron Rivera was then fired, and new coach Dan Quinn hired Kliff Kingsbury as the new offensive coordinator, leaving Bieniemy without a job.

While NBC Sports previously reported there was a chance he could return to Kansas City, Bieniemy replaces Chip Kelly — who bolted for Ohio State earlier this month — to coach the Bruins offense

ESPN reported Saturday that Bieniemy was offered an assistant head coach and running back job with one NFL team, but he decided to back to the NCAA ranks.

“My self-dignity, worth, integrity, personhood, manhood will never be questions or compromised,” he told the outlet. “It is not always about money, either. With everything in life, it is often all about timing. At this time in my life, the opportunity affords me the pleasure of continuing in to be a maker and leader of men, to do what I love, follow my passion and my dreams while not compromising on who I am as a man.”