LOS ANGELES — Kevin Coyle first knew Tim Skipper in 1997 as the “sawed-off” undersized middle linebacker he met during spring camp, whom he thrust into a starting role after an off-the-field roughhousing incident left Fresno State’s starter injured on the sidelines.

Coyle watched as Skipper developed into a “field general” on the gridiron, becoming an extension of the Bulldogs’ coaching staff as a leader on the field. Coyle may have called the plays, but Skipper made the calls, the checks.

Late in his career, 69 years old and gruff with a white stubble, Coyle returned to Syracuse as an analyst, where he once served as defensive coordinator early in his career. In his 48th year of coaching, Coyle was happy to help with the Orange defense. He didn’t have to pack up his belongings and move

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