UCLA’s Bieniemy Decides to Go Pro

Eric Bieniemy on Monday accepted a job coaching running backs for the Minnesota Vikings, meaning the UCLA football program will not only have to replace its quarterback, top receiver and star running back, but also a popular and effective assistant who coordinated the team’s recruiting efforts.

Bieniemy, 36, was courted by the University of Texas about a year ago but decided to stay in Westwood. He said he could not, however, turn down the chance to coach in the NFL.

“This is an opportunity to take my professional career to another level,” he said Monday. “I talked to a lot of coaches, and everyone told me about what a great opportunity it is to coach in the league.”

Bieniemy, who spent nine years in the NFL as a running back after starring at Colorado, joins the staff of Brad Childress, who replaced Mike Tice as the Vikings’ head coach this month.

“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,” UCLA Coach Karl Dorrell said in a statement. “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.”

Bieniemy coached at Colorado for three years before joining Dorrell’s first coaching staff at UCLA in 2003.

Known for his fiery coaching style and personal relationships with his players, he helped develop the Bruins’ ground game into one of the nation’s best with backs Maurice Drew, Manuel White Jr., Chris Markey and Michael Pitre.

“We’re all happy for him because we know that it’s such a good opportunity for him,” said Pitre, who will be a junior next season. “But we’ve grown so close to him. We’re going to miss him, but it’s good to know that he left a good nucleus to build from.”

Drew is not returning to UCLA for his senior season after making himself available for the NFL draft, but Markey and Kahlil Bell combined for 297 yards rushing in 43 carries in UCLA’s victory over Northwestern in the Sun Bowl after Drew suffered a first-quarter shoulder injury.

The Bruins will also have to replace quarterback Drew Olson and top receiver Marcedes Lewis.

“I’m not worried about the program,” Bieniemy said about the Bruins, who finished 10-2 and ranked 16th in the nation.

“The base of the program is still intact. Karl Dorrell is still head coach, and Tom Cable is still the offensive coordinator. We have guys who now have a chance to rise to the challenge and other guys coming in ready to play.

“We lose Drew Olson, but we have Ben Olson waiting at quarterback. Markey and Bell showed what they could do in the bowl game, and we recruited three tight ends last year, who will get their opportunity to replace Marcedes.”

Bieniemy’s connection with Childress began in his final season as a player in 1999 with the Philadelphia Eagles. Childress was the quarterback coach and held the title of offensive coordinator when Bieniemy worked an off-season with the Eagles in the NFL’s minority coaching fellowship program.

“Obviously, my relationship with Brad played a role, but this is really about me getting a chance to follow my goal, which ideally would be to become a head coach at the collegiate or NFL level,” Bieniemy said.

“I’m trying to absorb as much information as possible to grow as a coach and to take the necessary steps to an offensive coordinator [job] first.”

Bieniemy, whose son, Eric Bieniemy III, has cerebral palsy, said having his family near the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., also played a role in his decision.

“It all just made sense. ... I would not be uprooting my family unless it didn’t,” Bieniemy said.

“I’m just so thankful that Karl Dorrell took a chance with me when he didn’t have to. This is just a great opportunity.”