Chip Kelly leaving; 5 UCLA Bruins head coach candidates

Eric Bieniemy

Another NFL connection, Bieniemy has toiled as an offensive coordinator at the pro level since 2018 but has yet to land a coveted head coaching position. With teams filling their open roles in the league, Bieniemy may be left without a professional home. However, if he wants a quick way to build his stock back up, success at the collegiate level could do just that.

Bieniemy was once offered the head coach position at Colorado in 2020 but turned it down to stay in the NFL. Now, a collegiate head coaching role could look more attractive as Bieniemy is limited on league options. As a former UCLA running backs coach, he knows the program and city well and as a Pac-12 legend as a player, he likely understands how to recruit the area as well. While it may not be what Bieniemy hopes for, the Bruins could be his best option to prove himself as a head man.