By ESPN | Created at 2025-02-01 23:36:35 | Updated at 2025-02-02 01:49:07
2 hours ago
Courtney CroninFeb 1, 2025, 06:04 PM ET
- Courtney Cronin joined ESPN in 2017, originally covering the Minnesota Vikings before switching to the Chicago Bears in 2022. Courtney is a frequent panelist on Around the Horn and host of Best Week Ever on ESPN Radio. She also co-hosts The Chicago Bears Podcast on ESPN 1000. She previously worked at the San Jose Mercury News as a multimedia sports journalist.
CHICAGO -- Eric Bieniemy is headed back to the NFL.
The longtime NFL assistant coach is being hired by the Chicago Bears to coach running backs, a source confirmed to ESPN's Adam Schefter on Saturday.
Bieniemy, 55, spent the 2024 season as the assistant head coach and offensive coordinator for the UCLA Bruins. It was his second stint at UCLA and second college football program where he served on staff (Colorado 2001 to 2002, 2011 to 2012).
Bieniemy's most recent NFL job was as the assistant head coach and offensive coordinator for the Washington Commanders in 2023. He previously won two Super Bowls with the Chiefs and spent the 2013 to 2022 seasons in Kansas City where he overlapped with Bears general manager Ryan Poles.
Bieniemy also was the running backs coach for the Minnesota Vikings from 2006 to 2010. Bears president and CEO Kevin Warren was on staff in Minnesota at the time as the Vikings executive vice president of legal affairs and chief administrative officer.
The veteran coach is the second former coordinator who has been added to Ben Johnson's staff. The Bears hired Dennis Allen as their defensive coordinator, a role he held in New Orleans from 2015 to 2021 before he was named the Saints' head coach.
CBS Sports first reported news of Bieniemy's hire.
