Source: UCLA fires OC Bieniemy after one season

UCLA has fired offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy after one season, a source confirmed to ESPN on Thursday.

The Bruins ranked 126th nationally among FBS teams in scoring (18.4 points per game) and failed to put up more than 20 points over their final four games. They also ranked 117th in total offense (328.8 yards per game) and had the nation’s fifh-worst rushing attack (86.6 yards per game).

The Bruins finished 5-7 this season, failing to reach bowl eligibility.

Offensive line coach Juan Castillo also is not expected to return at UCLA, sources told ESPN’s Pete Thamel.

Bieniemy joined coach DeShaun Foster’s staff after calling plays for the NFL’s Washington Commanders last season. Before that, he was the offensive coordinator for the Kansas City Chiefs and two Super Bowl teams.

Bieniemy’s buyout is worth more than $1.2 million, a source told Thamel.

His agent, Jason Fletcher, told ESPN in a statement that Bieniemy’s exit was “previously planned” and that “the plan was always to return to the NFL in 2025.”

Uncertainty with the Bruins’ offensive coordinator position was a factor in four-star quarterback recruit Madden Iamaleava‘s decision to flip from UCLA to Arkansas on national signing day, a source told ESPN’s Eli Lederman.

Indiana quarterbacks coach Tino Sunseri has emerged as the target to replace Bienemy, sources told Thamel. Sunseri will remain with the Hoosiers through the College Football Playoff, a source said.

Bieniemy was hired as associate head coach and offensive coordinator shortly after DeShaun Foster was hired as head coach in February. Bieniemy was also on the Bruins staff from 2003-05 as running backs coach.

His firing was first reported by Yahoo Sports.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.