There wasn’t much doubt about the matter after the UCLA Bruins ended their season on a five-game losing streak. It became official with Monday’s hiring of Bob Chesney — Tim Skipper will not be staying with the UCLA football program.
Tim Skipper may parlay his nine games with UCLA into a head coaching job
It’s for the best for both sides. Skipper is unlikely to lead the Bruins to success in the Big Ten Conference but he could help another school reach its potential at a Group of Five school. Skipper was dealt a rotten hand with the Bruins. The team was 0-3 and was humiliated but he helped right the ship.
UCLA showed a lot of fight under Skipper
The 3-9 record isn’t a standout in the history of UCLA football but there were times where it looked as if the Bruins were headed towards a winless season and Skipper ensured that UCLA would work their way into the win column. The three-game winning streak was terrific but the harsh schedule in the second half brought UCLA back down to Earth.
Skipper will always have that win over Penn State
The upset over Penn State is one of the most memorable wins in recent program history and Skipper didn’t stop there, hitting the road to beat Michigan State and then holding off Maryland at home. After that UCLA ran out of steam but they also had to deal with some of the top teams in the country.
Skipper’s motivation couldn’t lead UCLA past the Trojans
All in all, Skipper went 3-6 with UCLA and lost handedly to rival USC but his presence was much-needed for the team to avoid an all-out catastrophe. Even in Saturday’s loss, the Bruins fought hard before the Trojans superior talent won out in the second half.
UCLA got exactly what they were looking for
UCLA needed stability in the program and Skipper provided that. After positive interim tenures at Fresno State and UCLA it won’t be a surprise at all to see Skipper named a head coach somewhere this offseason.
This article originally appeared on UCLA Wire: UCLA has hired Bob Chesney but Tim Skipper should be remembered
Reporting by Dylan McNeill, UCLA Wire / UCLA Wire
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