SAN FRANCISCO – Jim Skipper has coached 29 seasons in the NFL, including two as running backs coach of the Tennessee Titans.
On Sunday, he'll coach in his second Super Bowl.
"It's awesome,'' Skipper said this week. "This just doesn't happen every year, so I appreciate it, and I know how fortunate I am. It's definitely a memorable experience."
Skipper coached in Tennessee in 2011 and 2012, and running back Chris Johnson eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark both seasons. The Titans went 9-7 in 2011, Mike Munchak's first year with the team, but missed the playoffs. The following season the Titans slid to 6-10.
Skipper re-joined the Panthers in 2013, his second stint with the team. He was also with Carolina from 2002-2010, when the Panthers went to Super Bowl in the 2003 season.
"I enjoyed Nashville. I enjoyed the city. We didn't win enough games, but I loved being there. I enjoyed every minute of Titans,'' Skipper said. "C.J., I talked to him after we played Arizona in the playoffs and I really thought he had a good year (in 2015) before he got hurt.
"He has matured a little bit, and puts a little more effort into it. He had one of the best bursts I've ever seen."
Skipper's star pupil now is running back Jonathan Stewart, who ran for 989 yards and six touchdowns during the regular season.
Skipper is one of numerous Titans connections on the Panthers.
Panthers cornerback Cortland Finnegan and offensive linemen Michael Oher and Fernando Velasco are all former Titans. Curtis Fuller, assistant special teams/nickel back coach with the Panthers, also spent the 2012 season in Tennessee.
