Fresno State Athletics
A Way of Life for Skip
8/3/2011 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 3, 2011
31 DAYS UNTIL BULLDOG FOOTBALL:
FRESNO, Calif. --- Some people refer to football as a way of life, and for Fresno State's linebackers coach Tim Skipper this mentality holds true in every aspect.
"As long as I can remember football has always been a part of my life, I was born into the game," Skipper said.
Skipper's father started coaching football before he was born, but received his first professional job with the New Orleans Saints when Skipper was in the second grade.
Living the lifestyle as a coach's son, Skipper and his family moved around a lot. He was born in San Jose, and from there they moved to Oregon, Philadelphia, and Baltimore until finally settling down in New Orleans, where Skipper remained until he was recruited by Fresno State in 1997.
"Growing up in New Orleans where there are die hard football fans the town becomes a football city and I would take it up against any city," Skipper said. "I grew up in an environment where football is like religion, it's serious, and it is everything."
With a father coaching in the NFL and growing up around football, you would think there would have been pressure to play, but this was not the case for Skipper and his siblings.
"My dad let me grow up and decide for myself if I liked football and then when I had questions my dad would answer every single one," Skipper said.
His father never pressured him or tried to persuade him in one direction or another. Skipper discovered his own passion for the game and still thrives off of it today.
Skipper was recruited by Jim Sweeney to play for Fresno State and followed in his older brother's footsteps who was also recruited by Sweeney in 1985. Skipper played for Sweeney for one season and then Pat Hill was hired as the head coach and Skipper finished his remaining seasons under Hill.
Skipper was an exceptional player who started at middle linebacker all four years and was a three-time All-WAC performer along with many other remarkable achievements during his time with the Bulldogs.
After Skipper graduated in 2001, he left Fresno to begin his own coaching career. At Western New Mexico University, he was the defensive backs coach for two seasons. He then took the same position at Sacramento State, and later earned a promotion to defensive coordinator, which helped prepare for his return to his alma mater in 2006.
"You ultimately always want to come back to where you came from," Skipper said.
When Skipper returned to Fresno State he used his defensive mindset to mold one of the most explosive backfields as the running backs coach for three years. He then switched over to his current position as the linebackers coach in 2009. Skipper has been a critical asset to the Fresno State coaching staff and the Bulldogs are happy to have him.
"As a player he was outstanding and a great student of the game," said head coach Pat Hill. "He had a great four years as a player and he coaches with the same tenacity as he played."
Eventually, Skipper would like to be a head coach for the NFL some day.
"I just want to get a taste for it, I have been around the NFL for a long time and it has always been a goal in the back of my mind." Skipper said. Football is a way of life for Skipper and it is something he loves and lives for each day. Every move Skipper has made since graduating from college involves football and there is no doubt his life will continue in that direction for years to come.
"We Are Your Team!" - Fresno State football season tickets are now on sale. Call 278-DOGS or log on to gobulldogs.com for more information. Don't miss six homes games in Bulldog Stadium.
