Panthers Running Backs Coach Jim Skipper Retires

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Photo credit SIPA Images

Carolina Panthers' running backs coach Jim Skipper has announced his retirement, ending his coaching career that dates back to 1974.

Skipper, 70, served as the Panthers' running backs coach from 2002-2010 and was hired in 2013 for a second stint after holding the same role with the Tennessee Titans from 2011-2012. 

In 16 total seasons with Carolina, the Panthers have ranked in the Top 10 in rushing eight times including each of the past five seasons and have ranked third in the league in averaging 129.1 rushing yards per game since Skipper returned in 2013. 

Thanks Coach Skip -- pic.twitter.com/7yqvcLamZb

— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) February 20, 2019

This past season, second-year running back Christian McCaffrey had arguably one of the best seasons ever by a Panthers' running back.

McCaffrey played in 91.3 percent of the team's snaps and finished 2018 with 1,098 rushing yards and 867 receiving yards. The 1,965 combined yards from scrimmage is the most in Carolina's history. 

McCaffrey's 107 receptions are the most by a running back in NFL history and he joined Herschel Walker and Alvin Kamara as the only three players to gain at least 1,500 rushing yards and 1,500 receiving yards in their first two NFL seasons.

McCaffrey became the first Panther to rush for over 1,000 yards since DeAngelo Williams in 2009, who was also coached by Skipper.

Williams set team records in 2008 with 1,515 rushing yards and 18 rushing touchdowns.

In 2009, Skipper made NFL history as two of his running backs, Williams and Jonathan Stewart, became the first set of teammates ever to rush for over 1,100 yards in the same season. 

Williams, Stewart, Stephen Davis and Mike Tolbert were all named Pro Bowlers under Skipper in Carolina. Tolbert made three appearances. 

During the Carolina's 2015 Super Bowl run, Skipper's led the Panthers' running backs to a No. 2 ranking in the NFL with an average of 142.6 rushing yards per game, the highest ranking in team history. 

Skipper's running backs also helped guide Carolina to the Super Bowl in 2003 with 2,031 yards on the ground as Davis rushed for 1,444 yards, the second most in franchise history. 

Ten total running backs have rushed for 1,000 or more yards under Skipper's watch. 

In addition to McCaffrey, Stewart and Williams, the list includes Rueben Mayes, Dalton Hilliard, Gary Brown, Tiki Barber, Stephen Davis and Chris Johnson. 

Skipper began his NFL coaching career as running backs coach with the New Orleans Saints in 1986 and has also served in the same role with the Arizona Cardinals, New York Giants and Titans. In 2001, Skipper served as head coach for the XFL's San Francisco Demons. 

The Panthers announced the hiring of Jake Peetz as their new running backs coach: https://wfnz.radio.com/blogs/jason-huber/panthers-hire-alabama-assistant...