Eric Bieniemy Jr. is an American football coach and former running back, currently serving as the associate head coach and offensive coordinator for the UCLA Bruins. He played college football for the Colorado Buffaloes, where he became the all-time leader in rushing yards (3,940) and touchdowns (42). Bieniemy was named a unanimous All-American and finished third in Heisman Trophy voting during the Buffaloes' national championship season in 1990.
August 15, 1969: Birth of Eric Bieniemy
Eric Bieniemy was born on August 15, 1969. He would go on to become a notable American football coach and former running back.
1979: Moved to Hollywood, California
In 1979, Eric Bieniemy moved with his family to Hollywood, California, before settling in West Covina, California, the following year.
1986: Second-team All-America Football Honors
In 1986, as a senior in high school, Eric Bieniemy earned second-team All-America football honors after rushing for 2,002 yards and 30 touchdowns.
1987: Enrolled at University of Colorado Boulder
In 1987, Eric Bieniemy enrolled at the University of Colorado Boulder, where he became an immediate starter for the Colorado Buffaloes as a freshman.
February 1988: Arrested After Bar Fight
In February 1988, Eric Bieniemy was arrested along with his Colorado teammate Kanavis McGhee following a bar fight. Bieniemy pleaded no contest to disorderly conduct and was sentenced to community service.
1988: Named to All-Big Eight Conference Football Team
In 1988, Eric Bieniemy was named to the All-Big Eight Conference football team as a sophomore after rushing for 1,243 yards and 10 touchdowns.
1989: Multiple Traffic Violations
In 1989, Eric Bieniemy was ticketed for driving a defective vehicle and speeding, leading to a series of traffic violations culminating in a suspended license in October 1990.
July 4, 1990: Interfering with Firefighter Incident
On July 4, 1990, Eric Bieniemy pleaded no contest to interfering with a firefighter who was extinguishing a fire in his mother's garage. He received an eight-month suspended sentence, a one-game suspension, was ordered to do 40 hours of community service, and attend an eight-hour firefighting training session. However, he allegedly failed to attend this training, which he claimed was optional.
October 1990: License Suspended
In October 1990, Eric Bieniemy's license was suspended for a year following another traffic violation.
1990: Big Eight Conference's Offensive Player of the Year
In 1990, Eric Bieniemy was named the Big Eight Conference's Offensive Player of the Year and finished third in Heisman Trophy voting after rushing for 1,628 yards and 17 touchdowns.
1990: Heisman Trophy and National Championship
In 1990, Eric Bieniemy was named a unanimous All-American and finished third in Heisman Trophy voting during Colorado Buffaloes' national championship season.
March 21, 1991: Caught Speeding and Driving with a Suspended License
On March 21, 1991, Eric Bieniemy was caught speeding and driving with a suspended license on Interstate 70 near Rifle, Colorado.
April 17, 1991: Failed to Appear in Court
On April 17, 1991, Eric Bieniemy failed to appear in court on charges related to a previous traffic violation, resulting in a bench warrant for his arrest.
April 23, 1991: Bench Warrant Issued for Arrest
On April 23, 1991, a bench warrant was issued for Eric Bieniemy's arrest after he failed to appear in court for traffic violation charges.
1991: Drafted by San Diego Chargers
In 1991, Eric Bieniemy was selected by the San Diego Chargers in the second round of the NFL Draft. He later played for the Cincinnati Bengals and Philadelphia Eagles.
September 27, 1993: Harassment of Parking Attendant
On September 27, 1993, Eric Bieniemy was arrested for allegedly harassing a female parking attendant by putting his hand on her neck and startling her. Along with his friends, he allegedly urinated nearby after taking off their pants. Bieniemy was also found to have an outstanding warrant for driving with a suspended license and was banned from the school campus for a year.
1994: Played in Super Bowl XXIX
In 1994, Eric Bieniemy appeared in Super Bowl XXIX with the San Diego Chargers and recorded a 33-yard reception, the longest of the game for the team.
1995: Joined Cincinnati Bengals
In 1995, Eric Bieniemy joined the Cincinnati Bengals, where he played until 1998.
1999: Retired from NFL
In 1999, Eric Bieniemy retired from the NFL after a season with the Philadelphia Eagles, concluding his career with significant rushing, receiving, and return yards.
2000: Assistant Coach at Thomas Jefferson High School
In 2000, Eric Bieniemy served as an assistant coach at Denver's Thomas Jefferson High School.
April 2001: Arrest for DUI
In April 2001, Eric Bieniemy was arrested for driving under the influence and was docked a month's pay as a result of the incident.
2001: Re-enrolled at Colorado
In 2001, Eric Bieniemy re-enrolled at the University of Colorado to finish his degree in sociology.
2002: Running Backs Coach for Colorado
In 2002, Eric Bieniemy was the running backs coach for the Colorado Buffaloes.
2003: Running Backs Coach for UCLA
In 2003, Eric Bieniemy became the running backs coach for the UCLA Bruins.
2005: Joined Minnesota Vikings
Following UCLA's 2005 Sun Bowl victory, Eric Bieniemy accepted a position as the running backs coach for the Minnesota Vikings.
2005: UCLA Recruiting Coordinator
In 2005, Eric Bieniemy served as the recruiting coordinator for the UCLA Bruins while continuing his role as running backs coach.
2007: Adrian Peterson Leads NFC in Rushing
In 2007, under Eric Bieniemy's coaching, Adrian Peterson led the NFC in rushing yards with 1,341 yards.
2008: Adrian Peterson Leads NFL in Rushing
In 2008, Adrian Peterson, coached by Eric Bieniemy, led the NFL in rushing yards with 1,760 yards.
December 2, 2010: Returned to Colorado as Offensive Coordinator
On December 2, 2010, Eric Bieniemy returned to the University of Colorado as the offensive coordinator under head coach Jon Embree.
2010: Promoted to Assistant Head Coach
In 2010, Eric Bieniemy was given the title of assistant head coach for the Minnesota Vikings.
2010: Inducted into Athletic Hall of Fame
In 2010, Eric Bieniemy was inducted into the University of Colorado's Athletic Hall of Fame in recognition of his outstanding college football career.
2013: Joined Kansas City Chiefs
In 2013, Eric Bieniemy joined the Kansas City Chiefs as a running backs coach, where he contributed to the development of players like Jamaal Charles and Kareem Hunt.
2013: Hired by Kansas City Chiefs as Running Backs Coach
In 2013, Eric Bieniemy was hired by Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid to be the team's running backs coach.
2017: Kareem Hunt leads NFL in Rushing Yards
In 2017, under Eric Bieniemy's coaching, Kareem Hunt led the NFL in rushing yards as a rookie.
2018: Promoted to Offensive Coordinator
In 2018, Eric Bieniemy was promoted to offensive coordinator for the Kansas City Chiefs, contributing to their successful season.
2018: Promoted to Offensive Coordinator for Kansas City Chiefs
In 2018, Eric Bieniemy was promoted to offensive coordinator for the Kansas City Chiefs, leading them to a record-breaking season.
2019: Won Super Bowl LIV
In 2019, Eric Bieniemy won his first Super Bowl when the Kansas City Chiefs defeated the San Francisco 49ers 31–20 in Super Bowl LIV.
2020: Offered Head Coach Position at Colorado
In 2020, Eric Bieniemy was offered the head coach position at the University of Colorado but he declined the offer.
2022: Won Super Bowl LVII
In 2022, Eric Bieniemy won his second Super Bowl with the Kansas City Chiefs after defeating the Philadelphia Eagles 38-35 in Super Bowl LVII.
February 17, 2023: Signed with Washington Commanders
On February 17, 2023, Eric Bieniemy signed a two-year contract with the Washington Commanders to be the assistant head coach and offensive coordinator.
2023: Joined Washington Commanders
In 2023, Eric Bieniemy served as the assistant head coach and offensive coordinator for the Washington Commanders.
February 2024: Named Associate Head Coach at UCLA
In February 2024, Eric Bieniemy was named the associate head coach and offensive coordinator at UCLA.