FORMER Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy is leaving the NFL and going back to college football.

Bieniemy, who worked with the great Patrick Mahomes during his time at Arrowhead, is finalizing a two-year deal to join UCLA as the associate head coach/offensive coordinator, ESPN reports.

Bieniemy speaks to Mahomes during last year’s Super BowlCredit: Getty

Bieniemy will leave NFL for college footballCredit: Getty
Bieniemy, who was assistant head coach/offensive coordinator with the Washington Commanders during this past season, will be returning to Southern California.

He grew up in the area and was a Bruins assistant from 2003 to 2005.

“I attended high school there,” Bieniemy said. “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.”

There were opportunities for Bieniemy to stay in the NFL in 2024 and beyond.

He interviewed for the head-coaching job with the Commanders and two other offensive coordinator jobs.

He also said one NFL team offered him its assistant head coach/running backs job.

“I have had countless conversations and interviews with many teams, and I have been applauded and lauded,” Bieniemy said.

“I can’t say why certain decisions were or were not made but it had nothing to (do) with a lack of anything on my end.

“My self-dignity, worth, integrity, personhood, manhood will never be questioned or compromised. 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 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.”

This will be seen as a significant move from new UCLA coach DeShaun Foster.

“This is a great opportunity for me to help support DeShaun as a head coach, to work with him and to work for him as well,” Bieniemy added.

“My goal is to help him to be a successful head coach in our profession.

“It’s an opportunity for my family and I to return back to a place that we once called home.”