Tim Skipper (American football)
American football player and coach (born 1978)
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Tim Skipper (born April 15, 1978) is an American college football coach and former player who is the head football coach at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. He previously served as the interim head coach at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) in 2025 following the firing of DeShaun Foster after an 0–3 start to the season. Skipper previously served as the interim head football coach at California State University, Fresno for the bowl game in 2023 and the entire 2024 season. He was the assistant head coach and linebackers coach at Fresno State from 2022 to 2023. Skipper played college football at Fresno State as a middle linebacker from 1997 to 2000.
Skipper in 2024 | |
| Current position | |
|---|---|
| Title | Head coach |
| Team | Cal Poly |
| Conference | Big Sky |
| Record | 0–0 |
| Biographical details | |
| Born | April 15, 1978 |
| Playing career | |
| 1997–2000 | Fresno State |
| Position | Middle linebacker |
| Coaching career (HC unless noted) | |
| 2001 | Western New Mexico (DB) |
| 2002 | Western New Mexico (DC/DB) |
| 2003 | Sacramento State (DB) |
| 2004–2005 | Sacramento State (DC/DB) |
| 2006–2008 | Fresno State (RB) |
| 2009–2011 | Fresno State (LB/RGC) |
| 2011 | Fresno State (interim DC) |
| 2012–2013 | Colorado State (LB) |
| 2013–2014 | Colorado State (AHC/LB) |
| 2015–2016 | Florida (RB) |
| 2017–2018 | Florida (LB) |
| 2018–2019 | UNLV (DC/LB) |
| 2020 | Central Michigan (LB) |
| 2021 | Central Michigan (AHC/LB) |
| 2022–2023 | Fresno State (AHC/LB) |
| 2023 | Fresno State (acting HC) |
| 2024 | Fresno State (interim HC) |
| 2025 | UCLA (special assistant to the head coach) |
| 2025 | UCLA (interim HC) |
| 2026–present | Cal Poly |
| Head coaching record | |
| Overall | 10–13 |
| Bowls | 1–1 |
| Accomplishments and honors | |
| Awards | |
| First-team All-WAC (1997) 2× second-team All-WAC (1999, 2000) | |
Playing career
College
Skipper played as a middle linebacker at Fresno State from 1997 to 2000. During his time there, he was a two-year defensive captain and three-time All-WAC selection, he ranks second in school history with 418 career tackles, including 117 in his first campaign, when he earned freshman All-America recognition.
Coaching career
Western New Mexico
In 2001, Skipper was hired as the defensive backs coach at Western New Mexico University. In 2002, he was promoted to defensive coordinator.
Sacramento State
In 2003, Skipper joined California State University, Sacramento as their defensive backs coach under head coach Steve Mooshagian. In 2004, he was promoted to defensive coordinator.
Fresno State
In 2006, Skipper was hired as the running backs coach at California State University, Fresno under head coach Pat Hill. In 2009, he was promoted to linebackers coach and defensive run game coordinator. In 2011, Skipper served as the interim defensive coordinator.
Colorado State
On January 5, 2012, Skipper joined Colorado State University as their linebackers coach under head coach Jim McElwain.[1] In 2013, he was promoted to assistant head coach.
Florida
In 2015, Skipper was hired as the running backs coach at the University of Florida, following head coach Jim McElwain. In 2017, he was promoted to linebackers coach.
UNLV
In 2018, Skipper was hired as the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) under head coach Tony Sanchez.
Central Michigan
In 2020, Skipper joined Central Michigan University as their linebackers coach, reuniting with head coach Jim McElwain. In 2021, he was promoted to assistant head coach.
Fresno State (second stint)
In 2022, Skipper was hired as the assistant head coach and linebackers coach at California State University, Fresno under head coach Jeff Tedford. In 2023, he served as acting head coach.[2]
On July 15, 2024, Skipper was named interim head coach, following the departure of Jeff Tedford.[3]
UCLA
In July 2025, Skipper was hired as an assistant coach at UCLA.[4]
Following the firing of DeShaun Foster on September 14, 2025, Skipper was named the interim head coach of the UCLA football program.[5] In his second game in charge, UCLA pulled off an upset victory over No. 7 Penn State, followed next week by a 38–13 rout of Michigan State.
Cal Poly
On December 3, 2025, Skipper was named the 19th head coach at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo.[6]
Personal life
Skipper is the brother of Kelly Skipper, who is currently serving as the running backs coach for the Buffalo Bills, and son of Jim Skipper, longtime NFL assistant.
Head coaching record
College
| Year | Team | Overall | Conference | Standing | Bowl/playoffs | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fresno State Bulldogs (Mountain West Conference) (2023–2024) | |||||||||
| 2023 | Fresno State | 1–0 | W New Mexico[a] | ||||||
| 2024 | Fresno State | 6–7 | 4–3 | 4th | L Famous Idaho Potato | ||||
| Fresno State: | 7–7 | 4–3 | |||||||
| UCLA Bruins (Big Ten Conference) (2025) | |||||||||
| 2025 | UCLA | 3–6 | 3–6 | T–12th | |||||
| UCLA: | 3–6 | 3–6 | |||||||
| Cal Poly Mustangs (Big Sky Conference) (2026–present) | |||||||||
| 2026 | Cal Poly | 0–0 | 0–0 | ||||||
| Cal Poly: | 0–0 | 0–0 | |||||||
| Total: | 10–13 | ||||||||
- Skipper served as acting head coach due to Jeff Tedford's health concerns.