The Panthers finished in the top 10 in rushing offense in each of Skipper's final five seasons and had a 30-game streak of 100-yard rushing games under Skipper from 2014-16 – the longest streak in the NFL since the Steelers in the 1970s.

Affectionately known as "Skip" to his players, Skipper got his start in the NFL with the Saints, spending a decade in native Louisiana beginning in 1986 before spending one season in the same role with the Cardinals in 1996 and then four seasons with the Giants.

The one year he didn't coach in the NFL after making his debut, in 2001, he served as head coach for the San Francisco Demons of the XFL. He began his long run with the Panthers the next year, joining first-year head coach John Fox in Carolina in 2002. After Fox departed, Skipper helped Chris Johnson record a pair of 1,000-yard seasons with the Titans in 2011 and 2012 before returning to the Panthers under head coach Ron Rivera.