A New Direction for Cal Poly Football
The Cal Poly Mustangs have endured a rough stretch, posting a 4‑8 overall record and a 2‑6 mark in Big Sky play last season. The program now welcomes Tim Skipper, hired in December 2025 after a brief stint as UCLA’s interim head coach, who brings a vision of sustained success and a culture shift away from the losing mentality that has defined recent years.
Skipper inherits a $45 million football facility and a roster in flux, with key starters such as Bo Kelly, Anthony Grigsby Jr. and Demaricus Davis still battling for starting roles. The coaching staff also benefits from the return of defender Mikey D’Amato, who led the Big Sky in tackles last season and tied for fourth nationally, adding experience to a defense eager to shed its ‘soft’ reputation.
A Stiff Opening Test
The season opener against Idaho, broadcast on ESPN, serves as the first true test of Skipper’s philosophy and the team’s newfound confidence. The schedule features ranked FCS opponents, including No. 1 Montana State, No. 25 Northern Arizona and No. 6 UC Davis, designed to forge a competitive mindset early in the campaign.
Beyond the on‑field challenges, Skipper highlights the program’s health improvements, noting a reduction in lingering offseason injuries that plagued previous squads. The Mustangs hope to translate this physical readiness into results that silence doubts about their competitiveness and prove they can contend with the nation’s top FCS programs.