WATCH: Media Zoom call with UCLA interim head coach Tim Skipper
UCLA interim head coach Tim Skipper addressed the media Monday via Zoom to look back on his first week in charge and the team’s practices.
Among the early changes is the addition of assistant coach Kevin Coyle, who the Los Angeles Times reported Sunday was expected to join the staff. Skipper confirmed Coyle reported to Westwood for his first day of work Monday.
“He actually coached me when I was in school,” said Skipper, who was a middle linebacker for Fresno State when Coyle was the Bulldogs’ defensive coordinator from 1997 to 2000.
The two were then on the Fresno State staff together from 2022 to 2024. Coyle was a defensive analyst at Syracuse this season before agreeing to join the Bruins.
“He is kind of like The Godfather to me for football,” Skipper said. “Did a lot of teaching me the game. It’s where I originally first started learning how to play sound, good defense. So to have the opportunity to get him here is major. But right now, he’s here, that process is still going and evolving. I mean, it’s so fresh.”
The Bruins’ reset after last week’s firing of former head coach DeShaun Foster included a team bowling outing.
Meanwhile, the coaches have been at work attempting to “tweak” what’s currently in place on both sides of the ball. Skipper said the opponent will dictate what gets adjusted from week to week.
UCLA returns to action Saturday in its Big Ten opener at Northwestern.
“You’re gonna need to get a little disguise here and there, tweak your stuff a little bit here and there,” Skipper said. “Do something different or you’re just gonna get ate up. So that’s where we’re gonna have to really put our heads together and figure out how we’re gonna tweak things and not be too complicated.”
Tim Skipper’s Zoom call with the media (9/22)
Watch the full Zoom call below courtesy of UCLA Athletics:
