Eric Bieniemy Jr. born August 15, 1969 is an American football coach and former player. He currently serves as the associate head coach and offensive coordinator for the UCLA Bruins. Bieniemy played college football for the Colorado Buffaloes, where he became the school’s all-time leader in rushing yards (3,940) and touchdowns (42). He was also named a unanimous All-American and finished third in the Heisman Trophy voting during the Buffaloes’ national championship season in 1990. Bieniemy was selected in the second round of the 1991 NFL Draft by the San Diego Chargers. He went on to play for the Cincinnati Bengals and the Philadelphia Eagles, primarily as a special teams player. After retiring from playing, he returned to Colorado in the early 2000s to complete his degree. He then began his coaching career, starting as the running backs coach at Colorado, later coaching at UCLA and the Minnesota Vikings, where he helped develop players like Maurice Jones-Drew and Adrian Peterson.
Eric Bieniemy Biography 2024
Bieniemy was the offensive coordinator at Colorado for two years before joining the Kansas City Chiefs in 2013 as the running backs coach. He was instrumental in developing stars like Jamaal Charles and Kareem Hunt, the latter of whom led the NFL in rushing yards as a rookie in 2017. Bieniemy was promoted to offensive coordinator in 2018, helping the Chiefs win Super Bowl LIV and Super Bowl LVII. In 2023, he served as the assistant head coach and offensive coordinator for the Washington Commanders before returning to UCLA for the same role in the following year.
Eric Bieniemy Biography Details
| Born | August 15, 1969 (age 55)
New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. |
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| Height | 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m) |
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| Weight | 205 lb (93 kg) |
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| High school | Bishop Amat
(La Puente, California) |
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| College | Colorado (1987–1990) |
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| NFL draft | 1991 / round: 2 / pick: 39 |
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Eric Bieniemy Early Life
Bieniemy was born on August 15, 1969, in New Orleans, Louisiana. He later moved with his family to Hollywood, California, in 1979 and then to West Covina, California, the following year. He attended Bishop Amat Memorial High School in La Puente, California, where he excelled in both football and track and field. As a senior in 1986, Bieniemy earned second-team All-America honors after rushing for 2,002 yards and 30 touchdowns.
Eric Bieniemy Bio
NFL Career Aspect | Details |
Draft | Selected in the second round, 39th overall, in the 1991 NFL Draft by the San Diego Chargers |
Teams Played For | San Diego Chargers (1991-1994), Cincinnati Bengals (1995-1998), Philadelphia Eagles (1999) |
Career Rushes | 387 |
Total Rushing Yards | 1,589 |
Total Receiving Yards | 1,223 |
Total Touchdowns | 12 (11 rushing, 1 kickoff return) |
Career Games Played | 142 |
Career Kickoff Return Yards | 1,621 |
Postseason Appearances | 5 |
Super Bowl Appearances | 1 (Super Bowl XXIX) |
NFL Career Statistics
NFL Team Contributions | Details |
San Diego Chargers | Played for 4 seasons, including Super Bowl XXIX appearance, with notable 33-yard reception |
Cincinnati Bengals | Contributed in 4 seasons, leading special teams and securing key rushing yardage |
Philadelphia Eagles | Played 1 season with contributions in both rushing and receiving |
Total Rush Yards | 1,589 yards with 11 touchdowns |
Total Receiving Yards | 1,223 yards with 0 touchdowns |
Kickoff Returns | 1,621 total yards, averaging 20.5 yards per return |
Punt Returns | 276 total yards, with an average of 7.5 yards per return |
Coaching Career Overview
Coaching Position | Team |
Assistant Coach | Thomas Jefferson HS, Colorado (2000) |
Running Backs Coach | Colorado (2001-2002) |
Running Backs Coach | UCLA (2003-2005) |
Recruiting Coordinator | UCLA (2005) |
Running Backs Coach | Minnesota Vikings (2006-2009) |
Assistant Head Coach & RB Coach | Minnesota Vikings (2010) |
Offensive Coordinator | Colorado (2011-2012) |
Running Backs Coach | Kansas City Chiefs (2013-2017) |
Offensive Coordinator | Kansas City Chiefs (2018-2022) |
Assistant Head Coach & Offensive Coordinator | Washington Commanders (2023) |
Associate Head Coach & Offensive Coordinator | UCLA (2024-Present) |
Coaching Career Highlights
Coaching Achievements | Details |
Super Bowl Wins | 2 (Super Bowl LIV and LVII with Kansas City Chiefs) |
Offensive Success | Chiefs ranked 1st in NFL in yards and points per game (2018) |
Key Players Developed | Adrian Peterson, Jamaal Charles, Kareem Hunt, Patrick Mahomes |
Offensive Innovations | Led Chiefs to record-breaking offensive seasons, including 565 points in 2018 |
Legal Issues
Personal Aspect | Facts |
Family | Married with two sons; nephew Jamal played college basketball |
Fraternity | Member of Omega Psi Phi |
Legal Issues | Arrested in 1988 following a bar fight, and faced multiple legal issues including traffic violations and a suspended license |
Eric Bieniemy Net Worth
Eric Bieniemy is thought to have a net worth of about $2 million.
Eric Bieniemy Summary
Eric Bieniemy has made an indelible mark both as a player and a coach. His college career set the foundation for his success in the NFL, where his coaching expertise has helped shape some of the league’s most successful offenses. From his playing days with the San Diego Chargers, Cincinnati Bengals, and Philadelphia Eagles to his transformative coaching role with the Minnesota Vikings, Kansas City Chiefs, and Washington Commanders, Bieniemy has proven to be a dynamic and impactful figure in football. His accolades, including Super Bowl victories and contributions to the development of elite players, underscore his legacy as one of the top coaches in the sport today.
