The steady stream of rumors for the past two seasons concerning
UCLA assistant football coach and recruiting coordinator Eric
Bieniemy leaving the Bruins for a position in the NFL became a
reality Monday. Bieniemy, 36, has accepted a position as running
backs coach with the Minnesota Vikings after a three-year stint
with the Bruins. He was one of UCLA coach Karl Dorrell’s
first hires and joined the Bruins in December 2002. “This is
an opportunity I felt I had to take for my future and the future of
my family,” Bieniemy said. “I have had a great
situation at UCLA the past three years, but I feel I need NFL
experience to accomplish my goal of becoming a head coach. “I
had the opportunity to play for (Vikings head coach) Brad Childress
with the Eagles and also worked with him during an NFL coaching
internship. I would not be leaving if Brad was not involved.”
This was not the first time Bieniemy was sought for a coaching
position. Last season, Bieniemy was approached by the University of
Texas for its running backs coach position, but he rejected the
offer after UCLA increased his salary to $145,000 annually and gave
him chief recruiting responsibilities. Bieniemy contemplated the
Texas offer primarily because his son has cerebral palsy and the
neurology department in Austin, Texas, is world renowned and could
have helped the Bieniemy family’s treatment of his child.
However Bieniemy’s decision to take the Vikings’s job
is considered primarily professional. With the loss of Bieniemy,
who was recently named one of the top five recruiting coaches in
the nation, UCLA’s future in recruiting may take a hit.
Nevertheless, the UCLA program has been supportive of
Bieniemy’s decision. “This is a wonderful opportunity
for Eric,” Dorrell said. “This was a very hard decision
for him to make because he loves UCLA. The fact that he is good
friends with Brad Childress made the position more attractive to
him. “Eric has put his heart and soul into this program for
three years and we are grateful for his contributions, both on the
field and in recruiting. I personally will miss his enthusiasm, but
we will always be friends and he will always be associated with our
program. I know he will be successful with the Vikings, and we wish
Eric and his family all the best.” In the last three seasons,
Bieniemy was instrumental in the success of UCLA’s running
game. This past season, the Bruins were ranked 45th in the nation,
averaging over 160 yards rushing per game and 21 rushing
touchdowns. Bieniemy has also lent a crucial hand in the
development of UCLA’s backs. A season ago, running back
Manuel White Jr. was drafted by the Washington Redskins in the
middle of the fourth round. Junior All-American Maurice Drew
entered his name in the 2006 NFL Draft and is projected to be as
high as a second-round pick. Sophomore running back Chris Markey
was named co-MVP of the Sun Bowl along with freshman running back
Kahlil Bell. Bieniemy’s departure leaves a recruiting void in
the program, as the coordinating position will now be filled by
another assistant coach. Known as a top recruiter, Bieniemy was
considered a chief reason Drew chose to attend UCLA. “I want
to thank Karl Dorrell for the opportunity to coach at UCLA,”
Bieniemy said. “It has been a great three years, and I have
matured a lot under his guidance. Karl is not only an outstanding
coach but a man of great character and vision and an outstanding
role model. “UCLA is on its way back to college
football’s elite because of his drive and determination, and
I am sorry I won’t be here to be part of it. I will also miss
my players, but I know Chris, Kahlil and Michael (Pitre) will have
great success in the future.” Before his three-year stop at
UCLA, Bieniemy served as an assistant coach for two years (2001-02)
at the University of Colorado where he played as a tailback on the
national championship Buffaloes team in 1990. Bieniemy also played
in the NFL for nine seasons. He was drafted in the second round by
the San Diego Chargers, where he played for four seasons
(1991-1994). Bieniemy later played for the Cincinnati Bengals
(1995-1998) and Philadelphia Eagles (1999).
OLSON, HAVNER HONORED: Senior quarterback Drew
Olson and senior linebacker Spencer Havner were named UCLA
football’s co-MVPs at the team banquet Sunday. Olson threw
for 3198 yards, 34 touchdowns and 6 interceptions while Havner had
99 tackles to lead the team.