Mike Singletary. Could he be DV's replacement?
 

Could be a guy worth keeping an eye on. He is taking over as DC for the 49ers this year. If they make dramatic improvement on defense, they weren't much higher than us in total defense and were last in scoring defense, he might be a good candidate for our soon to be vacated HC slot. Here is the bio from the 49ers...



Mike Singletary enters his first year as Assistant Head Coach / Linebackers for Mike Nolan.


Singletary coached with Nolan for the previous two seasons as the Baltimore Ravens inside linebackers coach. Players have flourished under his tutelage, with linebacker Ray Lewis earning 2003 NFL Defensive Player of the Year honors. Under Singletary, the inside linebackers have finished first and second in tackles in each of his seasons coaching the position. He has also coached on a Ravens defense that finished third overall in 2003 and sixth overall in 2004.

In 2001, Singletary won the Walter Camp’s “Man of the Year Award”, based on his reputation for integrity and leadership within his profession and contributions benefiting his community, country and fellow man. He also co-founded Leadership Zone, a company that provides leadership training.

Singletary was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1998 after a stellar career with the Chicago Bears from 1981-92. He boasted 1,488 tackles (885 solo), finishing as the Bears’ first or second leading tackler each of his last 11 seasons. Singletary was named to the NFL Team of the 80s after being selected to play in a team-record 10 consecutive Pro Bowls. He was also named All-Pro eight times (1983-89; 1991), and an All-NFC selection nine consecutive times (1983-91). Singletary was drafted in second round of the 1981 NFL Draft from Baylor University. He started a defensive team-record 172 games for the Bears, trailing only running back Walter Payton’s 184 career starts for the all-time team lead.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

BTW, I also think DV being a lame duck coach will hinder us in sigining much in the way of FA's this off season.

Erm...no.

Care to elaborate?

Here is another article...

Singletary follows Nolan to Niners

NFL.com wire reports

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (Jan. 21, 2005) -- Though Mike Singletary stayed away from the NFL for a decade after his playing career, he never lost his love for football. The Hall of Fame linebacker believes he can instill a bit of his famed competitive fire in the young San Francisco 49ers.

NFL Network

NFL Network

Analysis, opinions, features and more!


Download audio game highlights to your portable audio player!


Field Pass

Listen LIVE to NFL games, plus watch video news and features of your favorite team.
Singletary was hired to be the 49ers' assistant head coach and linebackers coach, following new coach Mike Nolan from Baltimore. Singletary was the Ravens' inside linebackers coach for the past two seasons while Nolan was their defensive coordinator.

Singletary, a star linebacker for the Chicago Bears from 1981-92, is the first coach hired by Nolan in his rebuilding effort with the 49ers, who had the NFL's worst record this season at 2-14. Though his new job will mean plenty of work, Singletary isn't intimidated by the major project facing Nolan's staff.

"When I went to the Chicago Bears, it was a train wreck there," Singletary said. "There are train wrecks all over the place. I'm in the business of correcting what's wrong. ... There's a lot of talent on this team, and there's a lot of young guys. It's all about believing that we can be an elite team, that we can get back to what we had before."

Singletary felt a rush of memories - not all of them good ones - as he pulled on his first 49ers polo shirt earlier in the day. The clubs had a heated NFC rivalry throughout the 1980s, though both have struggled through much of the last 10 years.

"I think all the ballplayers here should appreciate it, even if they can't understand what this organization was," Singletary said. "When I think of the 49ers to this day, I think of excellence. I think of tradition."

Singletary was named the NFL's top defensive player in 1985 and 1988, earning widespread respect and admiration for his strong work ethic and hard-hitting play. After finishing his career with 1,488 tackles, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1998.

"Every winning team begins with personnel - players and coaches," Nolan said. "Mike is one of the best leaders and teachers I've ever been associated with."

After spending his retirement concentrating on being a good husband and father to his seven children, Singletary was bitten by the coaching bug two years ago. He joined the Ravens after nearly becoming the head coach at Baylor, his alma mater.

Singletary now aspires to be a head coach, and believes San Francisco could be a steppingstone. Nolan conferred the title of assistant head coach on Singletary for more than ceremonial reasons.

"I'm using it for the sole reason that I want Mike to have an impact on the entire football team," Nolan said. "He brings instant credibility and intensity to the team. If there is anyone who knows how to win and how to prepare to win, it is Mike Singletary."

Singletary coached an elite group of linebackers in Baltimore, forming a particular bond with Ray Lewis. San Francisco's strength also is its linebacking corps, which features former All-Pro Julian Peterson, Derek Smith, leading tackler Jeff Ulbrich and Jamie Winborn.

"I loved him as a kid, watching him," Peterson said at the 49ers' training complex, where he's doing rehabilitation work for his torn Achilles' tendon. "I remember his eyes. ... It will be great for a lot of linebackers to pick his brain. Hopefully this new staff can come in and get this whole ship turned around."

Even if the San Fran D improves I think Singletary is going to need more than one years worth of experience as a coordinator to become a head coach.

He's not taking over as the DC, he's coaching linebackers and being the assistant HC.

Kind of like Gun was in Nashville.

I like his fire, but he's better suited as a DC over an HC.

I would agree, if take a look at some of the new head coaches, Lovie Smith and Jim Mora Jr., they were D-Coordinators for at least 2-3 years before they became head coaches.

The one exception to that though is Jack Del Rio as he was the D-coordinator for the Panthers for just 1 year but had been an assistant coach for 11.

He is aways from being a HC in the NFL.

While I tend to agree, I also think a leader is a leader. I would much prefer a guy like Singletary, over some retreads that will be available.... including ones on our own staff right now.

In all likelyhood, the new regime will have to start from ground zero anyway. Just as well do it with some fresh blood and ideas, instead of someone on the downhill side of thier coaching career.

Just tossed his name out there as a guy to keep an eye on. Beats the heck out of some of the other possibilities IMO.

He was being interviewed on one of the sportstalk shows this weekend on the radio. It was there that he was said to be the new DC of the 49ers.

Weird. Nolan was on the NFL network and said he's still looking for a DC and on the 49ers official homepage he's listed as LBs/assistant HC.

I don't think he's ready to be a DC now either, he's a great name, and I'm sure he will be one hell of a LB coach. It will be intresting watching the 49er LBs under him, having Ray Lewis would make that job easy IMO.

"Puff, Puff.....Give...."

Shit, I wish he'd just suit up for us at LB.

I would like Singletary as a possible successor to DV because he's a leader and would be able to relate to the players. My fear about him is that his lack of offensive knowledge would lead him to hire an offensive coordinator like Jimmy Raye, Johnny Roland, or Matt Cavanaugh.