Stephen A. Smith says Eric Bieniemy only has himself to blame after AGAIN being overlooked for an NFL coaching job and joining UCLA: 'At some point in time, it has to be you'

Stephen A. Smith has shifted his stance on Eric Bieniemy after the NFL increased its percentage of black head coaches this offseason, as he claimed that the ex-Chiefs and Commanders offensive coordinator may be the problem.

Bienemy was hired as UCLA's new offensive coordinator, earlier this month, with the announcement coming as a shock to many, considering that the 54-year-old's long been tipped for an NFL head coaching gig. 

Bienemy, who previously worked on the Bruins' football team between 2003 and 2005, was instrumental in Kansas City's offensive success on two separate Super-Bowl winning teams (LIV and LVII), which led to his hiring on the Commanders last season, as both, the man to run the team's offense and assistant head coach. 

But, that didn't work out well, as Washington ended the season with a dismal 4-13 record and one of the worst offenses in the league. 

Discussing Bienemy's new coaching job on his podcast, Smith said: 'I have spent years lamenting the state of affairs when it comes to the state of affairs as it pertains to the National Football League and Black Coaches. I have spent years coming to the defense of Eric Bienemy. Not anymore. Can't do it anymore. 

Stephen A. Smith is 'done defending' Eric Bieniemy after the ex-Chiefs OC was hired by UCLA

Bieniemy's long been tipped to become an NFL head coach but never did after 15 interviews

'When I think about Eric Bienemy, I think about how Demeco Ryans got the job in Houston and Mike McDaniels, who is bi-racial in Miami. I think about Mike Tomlin, who has been in Pittsburgh for 17 years. Think about Todd Bowles, guys like this.

'I'm just looking at some of this stuff and saying to myself, ''What am I supposed to say for Eric Bieniemy at this point?'' He has been interviewed at least 15 times for 14 different head coaching job. And no one time has he walked away with the job. At some point in time, it has to be you. I'm not questioning his football acumen, I'm not questioning his resume. 

'I'm saying that during the interview process, something has to be you if you have gotten 15 different interviews from 14 different franchises. And other Blacks have been hired and not you. The reality is that the NFL is hiring Black coaches now. They just aren't Eric Bieniemy.'

Smith went on to question Bienemy's career trajectory, wondering if his aim is to still be an NFL head coach one day. 

'I can't imagine that his aspirations for being a head coach at the NFL, the chances of that have increased because you decided to part with the NFL altogether to go take an offensive coordinator's job at the collegiate level.' 

'Had you gone to UCLA and taken the head coaching job, had you gone to a college program and taken a head coaching job, that would be different. 

'But to leave the NFL to go college for the same position, I don't know what to say anymore; I don't know what to say.'