 Singletary with theSan Francisco 49ers in 2009 | |||||||||||||
| No. 50 | |||||||||||||
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| Position | Linebacker | ||||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||||
| Born | (1958-10-09)October 9, 1958 (age 67) Houston, Texas, U.S. | ||||||||||||
| Height | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | ||||||||||||
| Weight | 230 lb (104 kg) | ||||||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||||||
| High school | Worthing (Houston, Texas) | ||||||||||||
| College | Baylor (1977–1980) | ||||||||||||
| NFL draft | 1981: 2nd round, 38th overall pick | ||||||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||||||
Playing | |||||||||||||
Coaching | |||||||||||||
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| Awards and highlights | |||||||||||||
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| Career NFL statistics | |||||||||||||
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| Head coaching record | |||||||||||||
| Career | NFL: 18–22 (.450) AAF: 2–6 (.250) | ||||||||||||
| Coaching profile at Pro Football Reference | |||||||||||||
Michael Singletary (born October 9, 1958), nicknamed "Samurai Mike",[1] is an American former professionalfootball player and coach. He played as alinebacker for theChicago Bears of theNational Football League (NFL). After playingcollege football for theBaylor Bears, Singletary was selected by the Bears in the second round of the1981 NFL draft and was known as "the Heart of the Defense" for theirMonsters of the Midway defense in the mid-1980s. He was part of theirSuper Bowl XX championship team that beat theNew England Patriots. Singletary was inducted into theTexas Sports Hall of Fame in 1995 and into thePro Football Hall of Fame in 1998.
Singletary later pursued a career as a coach, first as a linebackers coach for theBaltimore Ravens, then as the linebackers coach for theSan Francisco 49ers. In 2008, the 49ers promoted Singletary to the head coaching position after previous head coachMike Nolan was fired during the season, and he remained in that position until he was fired after the 49ers were eliminated from playoff contention[2] with one game remaining in the 2010 season. He has also coached for theLos Angeles Rams, theMemphis Express of the now-defunctAlliance of American Football (AAF), and a brief two-season stint as the head coach of ahigh school team.
Mike Singletary was born inHouston, the last of ten children.[3] Singletary's father, Charles, was a street preacher inDallas. The family soon settled in Houston. Mike, along with his father, Charles, mother, Rudell, and several brothers and sisters, shared a small wood-frame home. Next to their home was a building called the Church of God, a church that Charles Singletary built himself and where he played guitar each Sunday. During the week, Mike's father worked as a contractor.
Tragedy would soon strike the family. Dale Singletary, the third oldest child, died unexpectedly. Dale had been sleeping in a room with James, another brother. Charles Jr. noticed a funny smell coming from the room. By the time Mike and Charles Jr. were able to break a window, and force entry into the room, fumes from the coal stove had claimed the life of Dale.[4][5][3] As his relationship with his father drifted, Mike's brother Grady stepped in. Grady filled the void, telling young Mike to stay away from vices such as drinking beer and smoking cigarettes. Mike's interest in playing football piqued each Sunday, as he would watch the Dallas Cowboys, and idolized players includingRoger Staubach,Bob Lilly, andLee Roy Jordan.
Tragedy re-occurred. Grady, who Mike Singletary had looked up at as a father figure, was killed in a six-car accident caused by a drunk driver.[3] The drunk driver survived the accident uninjured.[6]
Singletary attended high school atEvan E. Worthing High School in Houston. In ninth grade, Mike was an all-state guard and linebacker. As Mike became a star for Worthing High School, an all-black high school, Mike's mother became a regular at the football games. Despite early concerns about poor grades affecting Mike's eligibility to play football, his grades improved. After a star career at Worthing, Mike found himself with a scholarship toBaylor University, and would meet the next mentor in his life, Baylor coachGrant Teaff.[7]
Mike Singletary attended college atBaylor University inWaco, Texas. As a linebacker at Baylor, Singletary earnedAll-American honors in both junior (1979) and senior (1980) years, where he averaged 15tackles per game and established a team record with 232 tackles in 1978, including 35 in a game against theUniversity of Houston. During Singletary's senior season of 1980, Baylor won 10 games, marking the first time in school history that had been accomplished.
Singletary is the only college junior to be selected to the All-Southwest Conference Team of the 1970s. Singletary is a two-time recipient of theDavey O'Brien Memorial Trophy, which at the time was awarded to the most outstanding player among those playing in the southwestern United States and had yet to become the quarterback-centric award it is today. Singletary lettered four years. He had 97 tackles as a freshman, 232 (a school record) as a sophomore, then 188 and 145. The total, 662, set a school record. In 1978, he had 35 tackles in a game against Arkansas, 31 against Ohio State. He was all- Southwest Conference three years and All-America two years. In 1979 and 1980, he won the Davey O'Brien Award, given to the outstanding player in the Southwest. (The award has since been changed to a national quarterback trophy.)
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At 6 ft (1.8 m), 230 lb (100 kg), Singletary became astarting linebacker in the Chicago Bears defense in the eighth game of his rookie season (1981). In a game against theKansas City Chiefs, his third as a starter, Singletary gave a remarkable defensive performance, recording 10 tackles and forcing afumble. He was a nearly unanimous all-rookie selection. Singletary started 172 games for the Bears during his 12-year career, the second-most in club history. An intense player, he finished as the Bears' first- or second-leading tackler each of his last 11 seasons. He amassed an impressive 1,488 career tackles, 885 of which were solo efforts. He missed playing just two games, both in1986. He made 7interceptions and 12 fumble recoveries.
In a game against theDenver Broncos in1990 he had a personal-best performance when he recorded 10 solo tackles and 10 assists. Selected to play in a team record 10Pro Bowls, Singletary wasAll-Pro eight times, and All-NFC every year from1983 to1991.
He led the Bears to a 15–1 season in 1985. The"46" defense invented byBuddy Ryan allowed Singletary to be unblocked on virtually every play. That season, he recorded 109 solo tackles (52 assists), 3sacks, 1 interception, 3 fumble recoveries, 1 forced fumble, and 10defended passes. He won the NFL Defensive Player of the Year,[8] and led a defense that was ranked 1st overall (1st against the rush; 3rd against the pass).
Throughout the1985 playoffs, Singletary provided stellar efforts in all 3 games. In the divisional game against theNew York Giants at home, Singletary recovered a fumble early in the 1st quarter and a sack of quarterbackPhil Simms on a 3rd down early in the 3rd quarter. The Bears went on to win 21–0. In theNFC Championship Game vs. theLos Angeles Rams, Singletary and the Bears dominated again. CoachMike Ditka said that the day before the game, he was talking to the offense while Singletary was in the next room giving the defense a motivational speech. While it started out quiet, within minutes, Samurai Mike was screaming at the top of his lungs and the defensive players were throwing chairs and knocking over tables. The next day, he provided a memorable play where he stoppedEric Dickerson behind the line of scrimmage on third-and-short early in the 2nd quarter. The Bears would eventually go to winSuper Bowl XX by beating theNew England Patriots 46–10.[9] In the game, Singletary broke up a pass that would have gone for a touchdown, delivered jarring hits to New Englandrunning backCraig James all game, and tied a Super Bowl record with 2 fumble recoveries.
Singletary was namedNFL Defensive Player of the Year by theAssociated Press in 1985 and 1988. He was elected to theCollege Football Hall of Fame in 1995 and to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1998. In 1999, he was ranked number 56 onThe Sporting News' list of the 100 Greatest Football Players.
In 2002, a group of alumni at Baylor University promoted Singletary for the school's open head coaching position, holding a conference call (which includedMike Ditka andDave McGinnis) with the university administration.[10] The position ultimately went toGuy Morriss. Singletary at the time had no head or assistant coaching experience and the university president later stated that they wanted to hire a coach with prior "head coaching experience."[11]
In2003, Singletary became the linebackers coach for theBaltimore Ravens.
Following the2004 season, theSan Francisco 49ers hired Ravensdefensive coordinatorMike Nolan to be their head coach, and Singletary left the Ravens with Nolan to be San Francisco's assistant head coach and linebackers coach.In2007, Singletary interviewed for the head coaching job of theDallas Cowboys andSan Diego Chargers, but was ultimately passed over.
With Morriss leaving Baylor after the 2007 season, Singletary appeared to be the leading candidate for his replacement, and expressed interest in the job.[12] On November 19, 2007, Baylor athletic director Ian McCaw flew toSan Francisco to interview Singletary.[13] However, Singletary decided against taking the position, which instead went toArt Briles.[14] Singletary's son Matt[15] was a freshman on the Baylor team in 2007.
Singletary became the interim head coach of the 49ers after Nolan was fired on October 20, 2008.[16] Singletary instantly made a statement in San Francisco by sending tight endVernon Davis to the locker room with more than 10 minutes remaining in his head coaching debut, a 34–13 loss to theSeattle Seahawks on October 26, 2008. Davis was penalized 15 yards for slapping Seattle safetyBrian Russell after a reception. In a post-game press conference, Singletary called Davis' actions "uncoachable" and said that he would rather play with a 10-man squad than have to deal with an apathetic 11-man squad.[17] He boldly declared in that same speech, "I want winners!", which became a staple on billboards around the Bay Area during his coaching tenure.[18] It was later reported that during halftime of their game against the Seahawks, Singletary intentionally dropped his pants while giving a speech to illustrate just how poorly the 49ers had played in the first half.[19]
Taking over the 2–5 49ers team, Singletary was able to finish the season 5–4 under his leadership (for a final team record of 7–9). On December 28, 2008, after a 27–24 come-from-behind victory over theWashington Redskins, Singletary was offered the team's long-term head coaching position, and signed a four-year, $10 million contract as the 49ers' head coach.
After leading the 49ers to a positive finish in 2008, Singletary helped the team jump out to a 3–1 overall start in the2009 season. Despite a last-second loss to theBrett Favre-ledMinnesota Vikings in week 3, the 49ers recorded wins against the reigning NFC championArizona Cardinals andNFC West divisional rival Seattle Seahawks and St. Louis Rams.[20]
While the 49ers were being blown out by the visitingAtlanta Falcons in week 5, Singletary lost his temper over his team's poor play; afterward, he expressed remorse for his actions, saying how he wished he "had more coaching etiquette" while reiterating how he would "get better at those things as time goes on."[21] In the weeks to come, Singletary andoffensive coordinatorJimmy Raye would drastically alter the 49ers' game plan, opting to start quarterbackAlex Smith in place ofShaun Hill while adopting more of aspread offense.[22] The new game plan had mixed results, as the 49ers posted a 2–5 record from week 7 to week 13 and struggled to maintain their playoff hopes. In a week 14Monday Night Football matchup against the Arizona Cardinals, however, Singletary and his coaching staff were better able to integraterunning backFrank Gore into the spread offense and pulled off an impressive 24–9 victory.[23]
With this momentum and their slim playoff hopes still alive, the 49ers visited thePhiladelphia Eagles in week 15, and lost 27–13.[24] After the game, a disappointed Singletary emphasized his team's continued need to improve, but still backed Smith as the team's starting quarterback.[25] Singletary helped the 49ers end the season on a high note with victories against the Detroit Lions and St. Louis Rams to reach 8–8, the team's first non-losing season since 2002.[26]
Five players on the 2009 team were named to play in theNFL Pro Bowl. Those players werePatrick Willis,Andy Lee,Vernon Davis,Frank Gore, andJustin Smith.
Also in 2009, Singletary joined other members of the 1985 Chicago Bears in resurrecting theSuper Bowl Shuffle for aBoost Mobile commercial broadcast duringSuper Bowl XLIV.[27]
The 49ers began the 2010 season with an 0–5 record, marking their worst start since 1979.[28] The team's first win of the season came in week 6 by defeating theOakland Raiders. In week 10, San Francisco narrowly defeated theSt. Louis Rams, 23–20 in overtime. At home, the 49ers suffered their first home shut out since October 3, 1977, in a 21–0 loss to theTampa Bay Buccaneers on November 21. A rematch occurred with the Rams on December 26, which the 49ers lost 25–17, eliminating them from playoff contention. After the game the 49ers fired Singletary.[29] Defensive line coachJim Tomsula took over for the final week of the season.[30]
On January 18, 2011, Singletary confirmed that he had agreed to join theMinnesota Vikings coaching staff as the linebackers coach/assistant to the head coach, former Bears teammateLeslie Frazier, a position he would hold through the 2013 season.[31][32]
After being out of the league since 2014, Singletary interviewed with theNew York Giants for their vacant linebacking coach position.[33] Giants head coachBen McAdoo and Singletary both worked together with the 49ers in 2005. The Giants eventually hired formerPhiladelphia Eagles assistantBill McGovern for the position.[34]
On June 28, 2016, Singletary announced in an interview with a radio station that he would be returning to the coaching ranks as an advisor for theLos Angeles Rams defense. The move reunited Singletary with former Bears teammate and then-Rams head coachJeff Fisher.
On May 10, 2018, Singletary was named head coach of theMemphis Express of theAlliance of American Football. The Express went 2–6 before the league cancelled the rest of the season. The league eventually ceased operations altogether.[35]
On March 29, 2018, Singletary accepted a job atTrinity Christian Academy inAddison, Texas. He left the school in December 2019 after going 1–21 in two seasons.[36]
| Team | Year | Regular season | Postseason | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Won | Lost | Ties | Win % | Finish | Won | Lost | Win % | Result | ||
| SF | 2008* | 5 | 4 | 0 | .556 | 2nd in NFC West | — | — | — | — |
| SF | 2009 | 8 | 8 | 0 | .500 | 2nd in NFC West | — | — | — | — |
| SF | 2010 | 5 | 10 | 0 | .333 | Fired | — | — | — | — |
| Total[37] | 18 | 22 | 0 | .450 | 0 | 0 | .000 | |||
*Interim head coach
| Team | Year | Regular season | Postseason | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Won | Lost | Ties | Win % | Finish | Won | Lost | Win % | Result | ||
| MEM | 2019 | 2 | 6 | 0 | .250 | 3rd in Eastern Conference | — | — | — | — |
| Total | 2 | 6 | 0 | .250 | 0 | 0 | .000 | |||
| Team | Year | Regular season | Postseason | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Won | Lost | Win % | Won | Lost | Win % | Result | ||
| Trinity | 2018 | 1 | 10 | .091 | — | — | — | — |
| Trinity | 2019 | 0 | 11 | .000 | — | — | — | — |
| Trinity | 1 | 21 | .045 | 0 | 0 | .000 | ||
Singletary is amotivational speaker and an ordained minister.
He has co-authored several books:
Singletary was a contestant on the first season of the CBS reality seriesBeyond the Edge, which premiered in March 2022.[38]
Singletary, an ordained minister, is a devout evangelical Christian. Singletary said in an interview with the 700 Club, "To me, Christ means everything. I know that He's got my back no matter what I do. So that gives me all the freedom in the world to be the man that He's called me to be."[39]
Singletary and his wife, Kim, have seven children.[3] His son Matt[15] joinedBaylor University's roster in 2007 as a freshman defensive end. However, Matt transferred toCalifornia Polytechnic State University where he was a defensive end. Singletary's nephew,Vantz, was a linebackers coach atLiberty University and previously coached under Mike when he coached with the 49ers.[40]
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