Introduction to Tim Skipper
LaDainian Tomlinson was no easy tailback to drag to the ground. The former San Diego Chargers star – the 2006 NFL Most Valuable Player – played like a monster truck in the backfield, tearing through defenses in college, while at Texas Christian University, and in the pros. Tomlinson’s stature never mattered to Tim Skipper. Only 5-foot-8 yet always making plays with grit and fury at linebacker, the Bruins’ interim head coach matched up against “L.T.” three times in three years while at Fresno State from 1997 to 2000.
The Making of a Fearless Mentor
He might have been undersized compared to Tomlinson, but his fearless mentality – as described by his former and current players – created a belief that no matter who the undersized middle linebackers were up against, he slammed them into the turf. “I’ve been undersized, underdog, whatever you want to call it, my whole entire life,” Skipper said. “I came to the realization when I got to high school that we all are breathing the same air.” Skipper asked himself a question: “So, why not me?”
The "Why Not Me?" Philosophy
Skipper’s UCLA football team, in just his second game in charge of the Bruins, surged into the national spotlight, embracing their coach’s “Why not me?” message in their 42-37 stunning upset of then-No. 7 Penn State on Saturday. He’d yet to be around his players in a true coaching fashion for a full month, but when UCLA athletic director Martin Jarmond handed Skipper the game ball in the locker room after the game, you’d think every one of those Bruins had been personally recruited by “Coach Skip.” He described the locker room as Mardi Gras, “a disaster,” the Bruins’ first opportunity to celebrate a win with new offensive play-caller Jerry Neuheisel – a choice Skipper made – leading his “It’s a great day to be alive and be a Bruin” ritual, throwing water into the air as if it were champagne.
A Players’ Coach
Everything about Skipper turns back to the players themselves, former Fresno State Bulldogs and current Denver Broncos linebacker Levelle Bailey said. “One way to really describe him, he’s a players’ coach, and he’s actually been in those players’ shoes,” Bailey said. “It all starts with confidence. If you lose confidence in yourself, then you shouldn’t be confident going against anybody else.” When Skipper became the acting coach for Jeff Tedford before Fresno State’s game in the New Mexico Bowl in 2023, there wasn’t any time for Skipper to relish the then-first chance to lead his own team into battle. Tedford stepped away from the Bulldogs for health concerns, Skipper taking over a team struggling with morale.
Cultivating Belief
He went straight to work, turning his first practice in charge into an Oklahoma drill; every player on the Bulldogs, whether a walk-on or the starting quarterback, participated, Bailey said. “He was showing like, ‘He’s in it with us,’” Bailey said. “We’re sad for Coach Tedford and we’re praying for him, but we’re here to win this game no matter what.” Win they did, swiftly taking down New Mexico 37-10 on its home turf. It wasn’t close. Bailey said he and his Bulldogs teammates simply believed – and Skipper cultivated that belief.
Leading by Example
It didn’t surprise former Fresno State linebacker Malachi Langley – who played for Skipper from 2022-24 – that Skipper spoke as if UCLA had a legitimate chance of defeating Penn State in the days leading up to Saturday. Langley said the way Skipper shares information with his team creates confidence, which was more than on display at the Rose Bowl just a few days ago. “I’ve had coaches who, when we’ve had big opponents, you can hear their voice crack when they speak,” Langley said. “Skip is going to keep it the same way: ‘These guys are just like us. We can beat them. They’re on scholarship, we’re on scholarship. Let’s go play.’”
The Upset
Skipper put his team, despite a 26½-point spread that sent Nittany Lions fans into the Rose Bowl with expectations of dominance, in a position to win. The Bruins elected to receive, storming downfield for a touchdown, their first lead in five games. Immediately after the score, Skipper called for an onside kick – Mateen Bhaghani flawlessly dribbling a ball past the 50-yard line and into Penn State territory for Kanye Clark to recover. From there, UCLA never took the gas off the pedal. And when they did – it was smart coaching maneuvers, like when punter Will Karoll milked 10 seconds off the clock with less than a minute left, stalling until the moment Penn State forced him out of bounds in the end zone for a safety.
Smooth Transition
“Coach Skip took over, the transition was so smooth,” redshirt senior defensive lineman Jacob Busic said. “It wasn’t any like, ‘I don’t like this. I don’t like that. I liked it the old way. I like it the new way.’ It’s more just, this is the situation that we’re in, let’s make the most of it.” Skipper’s phone was buzzing all weekend long. His coaching mentors – Tedford, Pat Hill, Terry Tumey (who watched Saturday’s game from the stands), Jim McElwain and Tony Sanchez – reached out to congratulate their friend. Family members bombarded Skipper with texts and calls, the excitement boiling over into a more-than-memorable moment for Skipper, who dreams of becoming a permanent head coach in the future.
Conclusion
As his former Fresno State players had said, for Skipper, it’s not about himself. His newfound UCLA family is the group that’s keeping him going. “I’ll tell you this – the best thing about it is just seeing our players and coaches smiling again,” Skipper said. “We hadn’t had a lot to smile about, and just to see guys happy, excited, and hugging and being a family, that was a joy for me, man. It was awesome.” With the win over Penn State, UCLA has gained momentum and is looking to build on this success. The team’s morale has been lifted, and they are ready to take on their next challenge.
FAQs
Q: Who is Tim Skipper?
A: Tim Skipper is the interim head coach of the UCLA football team.
Q: What was Skipper’s philosophy that inspired his team?
A: Skipper’s "Why not me?" philosophy inspired his team to believe in themselves and their abilities, even when faced with tough opponents.
Q: How did Skipper’s team perform against Penn State?
A: Skipper’s team, the UCLA Bruins, pulled off a stunning 42-37 upset against then-No. 7 Penn State.
Q: What did Skipper’s players say about him?
A: Skipper’s players described him as a players’ coach who has been in their shoes and cultivates confidence and belief in his team.
Q: What is next for UCLA football?
A: With their newfound momentum, UCLA is looking to build on their success and take on their next challenge.
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