Tim Skipper's Job Case Strengthens at UCLA

Tim Skipper took over as UCLA's interim head coach after DeShaun Foster was fired and has led an improbable turnaround: the Bruins are 3-4 overall and 3-1 in Big Ten play, riding a three-game winning streak over Penn State, Michigan State and Maryland. UCLA will play No. 2 Indiana next, a national-stage test that -- along with upcoming games against Nebraska, Ohio State, Washington and USC -- will largely determine whether Skipper is promoted permanently. Skipper credited belief and resilience after the Maryland win and praised his staff, including offensive coordinator Jerry Neuheisel and defensive play-caller Kevin Coyle, while defending players through penalties and a below-average outing by QB Nico Iamaleava. The program has also weathered a post‑Foster dip in pledges while the recruiting staff flipped three-star offensive tackle Travis Robertson from Bowling Green. Injuries have left the running-back group banged up and the staff has experimented with defensive lineman Siale Taupaki on offense; media outlets say continued wins in the upcoming stretch could cement Skipper's case, and other schools such as Colorado State have already been linked to him.