Carolina Panthers running backs coach Jim Skipper is retiring after a 32-year NFL career, the team announced on Wednesday morning.
Skipper, 70, coached running backs in Carolina for 15 seasons, leading Panthers rushing greats Jonathan Stewart, DeAngelo Williams and Christian McCaffrey among others.
Skipper was also an important part of the pre-draft evaluation process of McCaffrey, who was selected No. 8 overall by Carolina in the 2017 NFL draft.
“He believed in me from the jump,” McCaffrey said according to the Panthers’ in-house media. “That meant more than anything. You develop a special bond with someone when you know they have your back.