Tim Skipper recalls process of learning he would be UCLA interim head coach

Tim Skipper is the new interim head coach at UCLA in the wake of DeShaun Foster’s firing. The Bruins’ brass made the decision to move on from Foster after an 0-3 start to the season.

Once Foster’s departure was official, it wasn’t long before Skipper was given the news of his interim promotion. Skipper revealed the timeline that ended with him becoming the short-term leader of UCLA’s football program.

“It was Sunday, right? We played Friday that week. It was a weird week,” Skipper said, addressing the media for the first time since Foster’s firing. “It was Sunday morning. Every Sunday, I actually watch college football clock situations, so I was in the middle of doing that. Then I had a conversation with Martin (Jarmond), had that conversation, and then the staff found out. Then the team found out, and then we went through the rest of the day.

“So that’s kind of a blur, because my life kind of changed a little bit once that happened. But that’s kind of how the order of the day, how it kind of went.”

Skipper has been coaching college football since 2001, but has never been a full-time head coach. He previously served as the acting head coach and interim head coach at his alma mater, Fresno State, in 2023 and 2024, respectively.

Skipper finished his time with the Bulldogs with a 7-7 record while acting as the team’s head coach. That included a 6-7 finish to the 2024 season that saw Fresno State finish 6-7 and with a trip to the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl.

He then joined UCLA’s coaching staff in July after Fresno State hired Matt Entz to be its next head coach. It’s safe to say that his tenure with the Bruins has moved pretty fast — but it appears Skipper is taking his new role in stride. Given his recent experience in the same role for Fresno State, Skipper understands the assignment at hand.

“Anytime there’s an interim head coach, it’s never a good thing, right? Something’s not right,” Skipper said. “Coach Foster’s like a brother to me, always will be. He’s part of my family. He’s been to my parents house and had my mom’s cooking. That’s how close we are.

“So it definitely wasn’t just great feelings and things like that, but we both know we’ve got to move on. We’re football players and football coaches, so we know how this business goes.”

Following this weekend’s bye, Skipper’s first assignment will be leading the Bruins on the road for their Big Ten opener against Northwestern. After that, they’ll be welcoming Penn State to Pasadena.