The UCLA Bruins are reportedly keen on keeping quarterback Nico Iamaleava and interim offensive coordinator Jerry Neuheisel for the 2025 season. A lack of a similar update probably doesn’t bode well for interim head football coach Tim Skipper, however.
The Sporting News’ Bill Bender spoke of Brian Kelly potentially looking at the West Coast with the prerequisites of likely working with the former two, but not Skipper, if UCLA were to offer the fired former LSU Tigers football coach the job.
Kelly, a defensive-minded coach, would likely not retain Skipper. He didn’t retain many assistants from Ed Orgeron’s coaching staff, to the detriment of the program, many felt.
“Another option in the Big Ten, albeit a far-less glamorous opening, is UCLA. The Bruins, however, have a five-star quarterback in Nico Iamaleava, and Jerry Neuheisel could be retained as an offensive coordinator. This is an interesting fit if Kelly decides to hit the West Coast,” Bender wrote.
Skipper’s leadership in Westwood has largely been overlooked. His arrival sparked several mindset changes, like cleaning the locker room, that started celebrating the little wins. Those little wins ultimately became big wins, none bigger than the 42-37 upset of the Penn State Nittany Lions on October 4.
“Coach Skip has done an incredible job flipping the culture,” Bruins tight end Hudson Habermehl said, per ESPN. “[He’s] making sure we’re disciplined with what we do every day, but also when we get on the field, just cut it loose, play freely, have fun.”
Neuheisel’s play-calling, along with Iamaleava’s ability to adapt to issues with in-helmet headset communications, have gotten the shine. But it’s taken a massive all-in effort to lead UCLA’s revival, which took a major roadbump with a 56-6 loss to the Indiana Hoosiers in Bloomington this past weekend.
How the Bruins recover will be on Skipper, even if he won’t be the one who gets the credit.
Maybe there’s a reason Skipper isn’t being spoken about when it comes to the future of UCLA’s football program.
