When Tim Skipper was named the UCLA Bruins’ interim head coach after the firing of DeShaun Foster, there was a bit of relief that Skipper had recently served as an interim head coach for the Fresno State Bulldogs, doing so in 2024 but just how close was Skipper to getting the Bulldogs head coaching position?

Did fourth quarter collapses cost Tim Skipper head coaching gig with Fresno State?

According to the Los Angeles Times, who interviewed Fresno State’s radio play-by-play announcer Paul Loeffler, Skipper was real close to securing the head coach position but the team’s inability to close out games cost Skipper the opportunity.

Tim Skipper is in the same spot one year later

A year later, Skipper is again coaching his way into head coaching consideration, perhaps with UCLA, perhaps with another program but Skipper was able to have his team close out a tough win on Saturday against Maryland. Skipper has saved UCLA’s season but it’s interesting to see how facing the Bruins last year hurt his chances of being Fresno State’s head coach.

Need a news break? Check out the all new PLAY hub with puzzles, games and more!Loss to UCLA may have been the nail in the coffin for Skipper in Fresno

“Loeffler recalled a 21-20 setback against Hawaii in which two critical penalties extended drives for the Rainbow Warriors, who rallied from a 13-point deficit with two touchdowns in the fourth quarter.

“To me, that was the turning point,” Loeffler said. “Had that game gone Fresno State’s way, I think Tim Skipper probably would be the coach today.”

The Bulldogs would go on to lose to Air Force, which at the time was 1-7 and had not beaten a Football Bowl Championship team until the Falcons prevailed with a 36-28 victory over Fresno State.

Maintaining trust of players, a common theme

Skipper remained so beloved among players that they chanted, “We want Skip!” in the locker room after the Bulldogs rebounded two weeks later to beat Colorado State and gain bowl eligibility. But an opportunity for another breakthrough was lost in the final regular-season game when Fresno State scored only three points in the second half of a 20-13 defeat against UCLA — and coach DeShaun Foster — at the Rose Bowl.” Los Angeles Times’ Ben Bolch wrote.

Tim Skipper will need wins to avoid the same fate

UCLA has a gauntlet of a schedule remaining this season but Skipper has shown that he’s head coach material, it’s up to the Bruins to decide if he’ll be their head coach as they move forward from the DeShaun Foster era in Westwood.