Tim Skipper addresses separation between UCLA, Tino Sunseri

UCLA interim coach Tim Skipper spoke publicly Wednesday for the first time since the announcement that the Bruins had parted ways with offensive coordinator Tino Sunseri. Of course, the move came just a few weeks after UCLA fired head coach DeShaun Foster.

Skipper did not reveal whether he was involved in the decision to let Sunseri go, only saying that it was mutually agreed upon between the school and coach. He did, however, offer up a few kind words about his time working with him.

“I want to thank coach Sunseri for what he’s done here,” Skipper said. “Had great conversations with him during my time here just talking ball — he’s a coach’s kid — and just getting better that way. So I just wanted to throw that out there that I appreciate everything he’s done here and him and the university mutually agreed to part ways and that’s what I have to say about that part.”

Sunseri was in his first season as the Bruins offensive coordinator and coached only four games, all losses. Prior to arriving in Los Angeles, he was the co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Indiana in 2024. He also worked as a graduate assistant under Nick Saban at Alabama from 2019-20.

The 36-year-old former Pittsburgh quarterback will now hope he can land with a new school in 2026 following his departure from UCLA. As for the Bruins, they will turn to Jerry Neuheisel, the team’s tight ends coach, to call the plays on offense.

“Coach (Jerry) Neuheisel will now be the playcaller,” Skipper said. “He’s another coach’s kid. He played quarterback, he’s coached receivers and he’s coached tight ends. So he has a full-rounded professional development for him to be a good playcaller and I’m excited to watch him do his thing. He’s paid his dues so he’s ready to go for that and he will now be the playcaller.”

Neuheisel is a UCLA alumnus who has been on the Bruins coaching staff since 2018. He began as a graduate assistant before being promoted to receivers coach in 2021. Neuheisel took over the tight ends in 2024 and also added the title of assistant head coach this season.

Now he’ll hope to get the offense clicking again for a team that has still yet to win a game this season. He’ll face a tough defense in Week 6 when the Bruins take on No. 7 Penn State at 3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday.