Former Fresno State interim head coach Tim Skipper set to join UCLA's staff
DeShaun Foster is adding a familiar name to his staff. UCLA is expected to bring in former Fresno State interim head coach Tim Skipper in an advisory role, according to CBS Sports. The Louisiana native comes from a football family with connections to the Bruins’ head coach.
Skipper spent last season as the Bulldogs’ interim head coach and finished with a 6-7 record. His father, Jim, coached Foster with the Carolina Panthers in the NFL. In addition to that, his brother Kelly was the UCLA running backs coach when Foster was a player.
Tim Skipper took over as head coach in Fresno late in 2023 when Jeff Tedford stepped away for health reasons. Skipper guided the Bulldogs to a win in the New Mexico Bowl to close out that season before stepping into the role again in 2024.
Skipper-Foster connection goes way back
Fresno State finished up the regular season at the Rose Bowl against the Bruins. Foster spoke about his relationship with the Skipper family leading up to the matchup.
“I know Tim very well,” Foster said. “I played against him in college — we won — and his older brother was my running back coach here and then his father was my running back coach in the NFL. So, I’m like an honorary Skipper. I’ve been in that family for a long time, so it’s just awesome that he’s in the same position that I am. You know, being a head coach at his alma mater.”
Expertise at linebacker
Rules changes in recent years have allowed college programs to expand their staffs. More coaches are allowed to be hands on with players during practices and games. Skipper comes to UCLA with a wealth of experience working with linebackers.
He was a starting middle linebacker at Fresno State in the late 90s, and he has primarily worked with that position group throughout his career. Though, he has also worked with running backs in the past as well.
Prior to his latest stint at Fresno State, Skipper was the linebackers coach at Central Michigan. He also previously coached at Florida, Colorado State, Sacramento State, UNLV and Western New Mexico.
