Eric Bieniemy departure Commanders details

Eric Bieniemy leaves Washington Commanders for UCLA as associate head coach/offensive coordinator, addressing dismissal from Commanders and NFL head coach interviews.

After a single season with the Washington Commanders, Eric Bieniemy is making the transition to the collegiate level.

Bieniemy is set to join UCLA as the associate head coach and offensive coordinator under new head coach DeShaun Foster. A native of Southern California, Bieniemy previously coached at UCLA from 2003 to 2005, and his most recent college coaching stint was at Colorado from 2011 to 2012.

Following his time at Colorado, Bieniemy spent a decade with the Kansas City Chiefs before joining the Commanders last year. In an email to ESPN, the 54-year-old coach revealed that it was his choice to depart from Washington after head coach Ron Rivera was let go.

"I have no regrets with the Commanders," Bieniemy told ESPN's Pete Thamel and Adam Schefter. "Contrary to what some think and what has been put out in the media, I was not fired. I actually just chose not to stay. Learned a lot and that is always a good thing.

"I will continue my walk in my peace. I'm excited to be here and to coach these young men and football again. My expectations and desire to be excellent will never be turned down. I'm fired up. Let's go."

Throughout his time with the Chiefs, Bieniemy interviewed for numerous NFL head coaching positions, including five seasons as offensive coordinator.

Despite the interest, none of the opportunities resulted in a job offer, but Bieniemy remains undeterred.

"I have had countless conversations and interviews with many teams, and I have been applauded and lauded," Bieniemy said to ESPN. "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."

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