Tag: eric bieniemy

UCLA football hires former Oregon passing game coordinator

UCLA adds a familiar face to the coaching staff.

The UCLA coaching staff has seen some significant turnover since the end of the Bruins’ first season in the Big Ten.

After parting ways with offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, the Bruins tapped former Indiana co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Tino Suneri to head the offense.

This week, the Bruins added a familiar face to their offensive coaching staff.

UCLA hired former Oregon passing coordinator Demetrice Martin to lead the Bruins’ pass game and the secondary. Martin, a two-way player in college, playing receiver and cornerback at Michigan State, returns to Westwood, where he spent the 2012-2017 seasons.

In his coaching career, Martin made notable stops at USC, Washington, Oregon, Colorado, and Arizona and returned to his hometown of Pasadena, California, to reunite with the Bruins.

Though Martin will have a lot on his plate, with the unusual task of coaching two sides of the ball with the Bruins, his versatility as a coach and track record should translate in his return to Westwood.

UCLA football nabs four-star quarterback after new coorindator hire

The Bruins added a new quarterback for 2025.

It has been a whirlwind week for the UCLA Bruins football team. After closing their season with a win over Fresno State, the Bruins fired offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy and hired former Indiana co-offensive coordinator Tino Sunseri.

In the fallout of Bieniemy’s firing, UCLA lost the commitment of four-star quarterback Madden Iamaleava. Bolting for Arkansas, Iamaleava seemed to leave a significant hole in the Bruins 2025 recruiting class.

That said, the Bruins added a four-star quarterback from the class of 2025 on Thursday. According to Pete Thamel of ESPN, the Bruins picked up the commitment of Robert McDaniel, a four-star recruit from Hughson, California. McDaniel ranks 31st among quarterbacks in the nation and chose UCLA over Arizona, citing his relationship with Sunseri.

Given Sunseri and McDaniel’s relationship, Bruins fans have good reason to be optimistic going into 2025. With an established connection, Sunseri and McDaniel should work well together in the future as the Bruins look to rebuild their roster following their first season in the Big Ten.

Former Commanders OC Eric Bieniemy fired

For the second time this year, Bieniemy insists he wasn’t fired.

Former Washington Commanders offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy is again out of a job.

UCLA had hired Bieniemy as their offensive coordinator following his time as the Washington Commanders’ offensive coordinator during the 2023 season.

Moving to a coordinator with NFL offensive coordinator experience was probably a good sell for the UCLA Bruins, who were moving from the PAC-12 to the Big Ten.

However, after only one season, UCLA informed Bieniemy that he would be replaced. The Bruins did not have a good offense in 2024. In fact, they were ranked 117th in the country.

Interestingly, Bieniemy’s agent said it was a mutual arrangement. This reminds Commanders’ fans of earlier this year, when Bieniemy said Washington did not fire him, insisting that though he lasted only one season as Washington’s offensive coordinator, the organization did not fire him.

You will recall that Bieniemy had been the OC for the Kansas City Chiefs. He first came to the Chiefs as running back coach, serving in that capacity for five seasons.

He then became the offensive coordinator the same season Patrick Mahomes became the starter. After five seasons, head coach Andy Reid publicly encouraged other NFL teams to hire Bieniemy as a head coach.

However, no offers came; only Washington offered the offensive coordinator position. Commanders Wire learned that on Feb. 17, 2023, Reid was bringing back Matt Nagy as his offensive coordinator, replacing Bieniemy, who did not yet have a new job.

Sure enough, Nagy was hired as the Kansas City offensive coordinator, and Bieniemy came to Washington. The Commanders did not even make it out of training camp before multiple players approached head coach Ron Rivera about Bieniemy’s coaching.

Obviously, the players were those whom Rivera respected their judgment because Rivera was troubled by it.

In short, the Commanders’ offense had a horrible season in 2023. They ignored the need to develop a running game, placed too much emphasis on passing the ball, and had too many quarterback sacks. They had only four wins, and Rivera and his coordinators, Jack Del Rio and Bieniemy, were fired.

Jason Fletcher, Bieniemy’s agent, publicly stated that it was always the plan that Bieniemy would return to the NFL in 2025.

That might be true, but in 2025, it won’t be as a head coach or offensive coordinator. Hopefully, Bieniemy can again find a job in the NFL where he can find some success.

Who is UCLA football’s new offensive coordinator Tino Sunseri?

Getting to know UCLA’s latest offensive coordinator.

The UCLA Bruins made two massive decisions today, firing offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy and hiring former Indiana coordinator Tino Sunseri.

Sunseri spent the 2024 college football season as the co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach in Bloomington, helping the Hoosiers to an 11-1 record in the Big Ten and, for now, a spot in the College Football Playoff. The Bruins’ newest offensive coordinator, Sunseri, also boasts an impressive resume and football background.

Sunseri was a three-year starting quarterback at the University of Pittsburgh and enjoyed a short stint with the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the Canadien Football League, winning a Grey Cup in 2013. 

After his playing career, Sunseri spent time at Florida State, Tennessee, and Alabama. As a graduate assistant with the Crimson Tide, Sunseri worked closely with future first-round quarterbacks Tua Tagovailoa and Mac Jones and won a College Football Championship in 2020. Sunseri later became the quarterbacks coach for James Madison before moving on to Indiana.

But Sunseri’s football life does not end there, as he is the son of four-time National Champion and current Colorado defensive tackles coach Sal Sunseri and the brother of Washington safeties coach Vinne Sunseri.

Sunseri has spent his entire life in and around football and finally gets to take the reins of an offense all by himself in Westwood. Though there may still be growing pains for the 35-year-old coordinator, the Bruins offense should improve in 2025 despite some surprising moves along the roster.

UCLA hires Indiana quartbacks coach as new offensive coordinator

The Bruins have found their next offensive coordinator.

The UCLA Bruins football season may have only ended last Saturday, but there have already been some significant coaching staff changes.

After an alleged “mutual parting” between UCLA and former offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, the Bruins have already found their replacement.

According to Ben Bolch of the Los Angeles Times, the Bruins hired Tino Sunseri, the former co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for the Indiana Hoosiers. At Indiana, Sunseri helped lead one of the most prolific offenses in the Big Ten, ranking fourth in total offense and averaging 438.8 yards per game during the regular season.

Sunseri notably gashed the stout Bruins defense in Week 3 of the 2024 season, scoring 42 points and generating over 400 yards of total offense in the blowout win. On the other hand, against Indiana, Bieniemy’s offense only garnered a mere 238 yards and 13 points.

Though the circumstances of Bieniemy’s firing may raise some eyebrows, the Bruins welcome a young coordinator with higher upside and better Big Ten production.

With the Bruins ranking dead last in rushing in the Big Ten, Sunseri offers a fresh face and some notable changes to UCLA’s underwhelming offense.

Could the Chiefs reunite with legendary ex-offensive coordinator?

Should the #Chiefs look to replace OC Matt Nagy with an old friend who became available from the college ranks this week?

The Kansas City Chiefs’ offense has been a shell of its former self since the team hired former Chicago Bears head coach Matt Nagy to be its offensive coordinator.

But, on Thursday, an old friend became available and the defending Super Bowl champions could be willing to make a move to bring him back.

Former offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy became a highly sought-after prospect for a head coaching job after the 2022 season when he and head coach Andy Reid helped bring Kansas City its second Super Bowl victory of the Patrick Mahomes era.

In 2023, Bieniemy became the assistant head coach and offensive coordinator for the Washington Commanders before joining the UCLA Bruins in the same position.

However, according to a report by Yahoo Sports’ Ross Dellenger on Thursday, UCLA relieved Bieniemy of his duties following a disappointing season and made him available for other teams.

With so much talk around Nagy’s performance as offensive coordinator, a reunion with Bieniemy could be in the works if the Chiefs plan on hoisting the Lombardi Trophy for a third straight season.

Eric Bieniemy’s agent reveals ‘previously planned’ decision to part ways

Eric Bieniemy’s agent speaks on the move.

The UCLA Bruins surprisingly parted ways with offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy on Thursday.

Bieniemy spent just one year with the Bruins, and now he is a free agent once again in a bit of a surprise.

Bieniemy’s agent, Jason Flecther, released a statement after Bieniemy and UCLA agreed to part ways, per Tom Pelissero of 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.”

Bieniemy had received interviews for NFL jobs in the past, and now it wouldn’t be surprising if his name comes up again for this next coaching cycle.

UCLA, Eric Bieniemy part ways after one season

Bieniemy out in Westwood.

After the UCLA Bruins hired DeShaun Foster as the head coach, they hired Eric Bieniemy to be the offensive coordinator.

It was a big hire for the Bruins, especially with the long list of players Bieniemy has worked with in the NFL.

On Thursday, it was reported that Bieniemy and UCLA parted ways, per a report from Ross Dellenger of Yahoo.

“UCLA is making a change at offensive coordinator. Eric Bieniemy is out, sources tell @YahooSports. Bruins finished 117th in total offense this season.”

The UCLA offense didn’t have sky-high expectations entering the season, but Ethan Garbers and the rest of the Bruins got off to a slow start before eventually righting the ship a bit.

Nonetheless, after just one year in Westwood, Bieniemy is open for work once again.

Steelers should scoop up Eric Beieniemy to help the offense

Pittsburgh should make the call to see about adding Eric Beieniemy to the staff.

There was a time when former Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Beieniemy was the hottest name in NFL head coaching circles. However, interviews came and went and Beieniemy couldn’t land a job. There was plenty of speculation as to why but he finally landed with UCLA as their offensive coordinator.

However, after only one season, Bieniemy and the Bruins have parted ways. He might seem like damaged goods at this point but we don’t see it that way. If I am the Pittsburgh Steelers, I make the call to Beieniemy to have a conversation about bringing him in as an offensive consultant similar to what the Steelers did with Brian Flores on defense.

There are two reasons for this. First, the Steelers have the Kansas City Chiefs coming up on Christmas Day and any edge they could glean from having Bieniemy on the staff would help their cause.

Second and perhaps more important is it might be a plan for the future. Given the success offensive coordinator Arthur Smith has had this season running the Steelers offense, he will have opportunities at the end of the season. Should Smith leave, Bieniemy might be a potential replacement.

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UCLA football falls to USC Trojans in Big Ten slugfest

The UCLA Bruins fell short against rival USC at the Rose Bowl.

The UCLA Bruins fell to the USC Trojans on Saturday night 19-13, losing to their biggest rival at the Rose Bowl. Dropping to 4-7 on the season, the Bruins are no longer eligible for a bowl game in the 2024 college football season.

Despite a strong performance by Bruins’ quarterback Ethan Garbers, who finished with 265 yards on 20-29 passing and a touchdown, the UCLA’s offense failed to convert at critical junctures and let the game slip away.

In Saturday night’s performance, the Bruins were an abysmal 3-11 on third down and 0-3 on fourth down, with playcalling and execution proving to be the deciding factor.

On the most crucial play of the contest, trailing 16-13 with just under five minutes remaining from their own 34-yard line, head coach DeShaun Foster opted to keep the offense on the field to extend the Bruins drive.

Offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy drew up a quarterback sneak for Ethan Garbers, who was stuffed at the line of scrimmage, turning the ball over to the Trojans and effectively ending the game.

Though the Bruins were competitive with the Trojans all night, UCLA was a dollar short and a day too late in all three phases. Scoreless in the fourth quarter, UCLA could not rise to the occasion in the game’s biggest moments.

Saturday’s loss marked the beginning of the end of the Bruins’ first season in the Big Ten and another example of how far the team still has to go. The Bruins look to regroup and reset for their final game next week against Fresno State.