“UCLA OC Spills the Beans: No-Nonsense Take on Issues and the Road to Recovery! TRANSCRIPT INCLUDED!”

BruinReportOnline talked with UCLA offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy about the broad execution issues for the offense so far, how he bears responsibility, how he goes about simplifying things, what went wrong on the fumble, and much more.

Good afternoon, everyone! How’s it going? We’re out here hustling, preparing for our next challenge. I’m getting the chance to head home to New Orleans and face off against the Tigers down in Bayou Bengals territory, and they’re playing some impressive football. It’s our responsibility to start addressing our issues and get our act together. So, I’m all ears for your thoughts.

HOW DO YOU BEGIN TO ADDRESS THOSE ISSUES?

It starts every day when you wake up. My role is to ensure the players are in the right positions and doing what they need to do. Ultimately, if they aren’t performing, that’s on me. We have to revisit the basics, focus on the details, and help these young men understand that football is a team game; no one is out there alone. We need to learn how to work together effectively.

ARE THERE SPECIFIC ISSUES, OR IS THIS A MORE GENERAL LEARNING CURVE?

It’s definitely not a broad issue. We’ve all had our moments of not executing properly. I always look internally to see how I can simplify things and improve understanding. My focus is on providing the right guidance. At the end of the day, we just need to play the way we practice. It’s crucial that the players relax and enjoy the game; it’s one of the best team sports out there!

HAVE PRACTICES CHANGED AFTER THE LAST TWO GAMES IN TERMS OF SIMPLIFICATION?

We’re always looking for ways to refresh our approach, but the key is self-reflection and soul-searching to find improvements. Offensively, we need better starts. From the very first play, we need to execute by understanding our individual jobs. We have talented players who just need to eliminate distractions, stay calm under pressure, and apply what they’ve been taught. If they do that, we give ourselves a chance to succeed.

DOES SIMPLIFYING INCLUDE REDUCING PLAYS OR VERBIAGE?

I don’t see the verbiage as the main issue; it’s more about executing as a cohesive unit. My focus is on honing in on the fundamental details to improve performance. We can simplify plays or instructions, but ultimately, I need to ensure our players elevate their game.

ETHAN AND TJ HAVEN’T REACHED LAST SEASON’S LEVEL. WHAT DO YOU THINK IS GOING ON?

I see two hardworking kids who genuinely love the game, and I value the energy they bring every day. Since it’s a team sport, we must hold each other accountable. My role is to ensure everyone has the right tools to be productive. We all need to work with the same intensity and intent. Everyone aspires to greatness, but achieving it requires teamwork and collective effort.

REGARDING ETHAN’S THROW INTO THE DEFENSE IN THE RED ZONE—IS HE USING HIS EYES EFFECTIVELY?

I believe in these kids and their daily progress. Mistakes will happen, but what matters is that they learn from them and improve. Ethan shouldn’t have forced that throw, and he realized that immediately. Competitors like him may sometimes push too hard, but these moments are valuable lessons. Learning to navigate challenges is key, and growth comes when we support each other.

WAS THE FUMBLE AT THE START OF THE GAME A SPACING OR TIMING ISSUE?

It was a bit of both. As I often say, spacing affects timing. If we’re not aligned, problems can arise. These small details can lead to significant setbacks. We need to focus intensely to minimize these occurrences. Great teams consistently perform at a high level, and it’s my job to teach our players to remain composed, recognizing they still have plenty of time to recover from mistakes.

WHAT HAVE YOU NOTICED ABOUT LSU’S DEFENSE THAT YOU CAN TAKE ADVANTAGE OF?

LSU has a strong defense. Having grown up in New Orleans, I’ve always respected this program. Regardless of the opponent or location, my priority is for our players to put forth their best effort one play at a time. If we do that, we’ll have a chance, but we need to learn how to do it together and consistently.

WITH 12 OUT OF 23 TARGETS GOING TO RUNNING BACKS AND TIGHT ENDS, WAS THAT DUE TO GAME FLOW?

Sometimes, the game unfolds that way. It’s great to see our backs being involved. It means defenses are taking options away downfield. We’re playing complementary football. We need to ensure that we’re consistently lining up against opponents and not getting in our own way. I know they can perform better; now we just have to translate that skill from practice to game day.

DURING THE FINAL DRIVE OF THE FIRST HALF, THINGS CLICKED. IS THERE ANY TAKEAWAY FROM THAT, OR WAS IT JUST THE TWO-MINUTE OFFENSE?

It was a mix of both. The players realized they had made enough mistakes and decided it was time to go out and play. They showed poise and performed well, which makes you wonder why it can’t happen all the time. We need to focus on creating that consistency in our performance. It’s my responsibility to help bring that out of them starting today!