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UCLA has parted with offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy after the Bruins’ offense struggled throughout the 2024 season. (Joseph Reedy / Associated Press)
Eric Bieniemy received a hero’s welcome upon his arrival in March, co-workers lining the hallway inside UCLA’s practice facility to serenade him with applause.
The new offensive coordinator removed one of his Super Bowl rings so that DeShaun Foster, his new boss, could inspect it.
“It’s time,” Bienemy said that day, referring to his plans to do big things. “It’s time.”
Nine months later, after a season in which the Bruins’ offense ranked as one of the worst in the nation and several top players regressed from their previous form, the Bieniemy era is over.
Read more: ‘E.B., what are you doing?’ Eric Bieniemy blames himself for UCLA’s rocky start
In a move that showed both an admission of making the wrong hire and a willingness to quickly pivot, Foster severed ties with Bieniemy on Thursday after their one season together produced across-the-board struggles on offense.
UCLA ranked No. 117 in the country in total offense (328.8 yards per game), No. 126 in scoring offense (18.4 points per game) and No. 130 in rushing offense (86.6 yards per game). The Bruins’ inability to run the ball was especially maddening given that both Foster and Bieniemy had success as running backs in the NFL.
Several top players entered the transfer portal after the team’s final game last weekend, including quarterback Justyn Martin, running back TJ Harden and slot receiver Logan Loya. The Bruins also lost high school recruits Madden Iamaleava and Jace Brown on Wednesday when they signed with Arkansas amid rumors of Bieniemy’s dismissal.
Bieniemy’s agent, Jason Fletcher, labeled Bieniemy’s departure as a mutual parting of the ways in a statement, saying the former offensive coordinator with the Washington Commanders was still being paid by the NFL team and was assisting Foster for one season before making a planned…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/ucla-parts-offensive-coordinator-eric-191918315.html
Author : LA Times
Publish date : 2024-12-05 19:19:00
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