View source for Mike Singletary

{{Short description|American football player and coach (born 1958)}}
{{For|the basketball player|Mike Singletary (basketball)}}
{{Use American English|date=August 2020}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2024}}
{{Infobox gridiron football biography
| name           = Mike Singletary
| image          = Mike Singletary at 49ers Family Day 2009 1.JPG
| image_size     =
| alt            = 
| caption        = Singletary with the [[San Francisco 49ers]] in 2009
| number         = 50
| position       = [[Linebacker]]
| birth_date     = {{birth date and age|1958|10|9|mf=y}}
| birth_place    = [[Houston|Houston, Texas]], U.S.
| death_date     = 
| death_place    = 
| height_ft      = 6
| height_in      = 0
| weight_lb      = 230
| high_school    = [[Worthing High School (Houston, Texas)|Worthing]] <br> (Houston, Texas)
| college        = [[Baylor Bears football|Baylor]] (1977–1980)
| draftyear      = 1981
| draftround     = 2
| draftpick      = 38
| pastteams      =
* [[Chicago Bears]] ({{NFL Year|1981|1992}})
| pastcoaching   =
* [[Baltimore Ravens]] ({{NFL Year|2003|2004}}) <br> Linebackers coach
* [[San Francisco 49ers]] ({{NFL Year|2005|2008}}) <br> Assistant head coach & linebackers coach
* San Francisco 49ers (2008) <br> Interim head coach
* San Francisco 49ers ({{NFL Year|2009|2010}}) <br> Head coach
* [[Minnesota Vikings]] ({{NFL Year|2011|2013}}) <br> Special assistant head coach & linebackers coach
* [[Los Angeles Rams]] ({{NFL Year|2016}}) <br> Defensive assistant
* [[Trinity Christian Academy (Addison, Texas)|Trinity Christian (TX)]] (2018–2019) <br> Head coach
* [[Memphis Express]] ({{AAF Year|2019}}) <br> Head coach
* [[The Spring League|TSL Generals]] ([[2020 The Spring League Fall season|2020]]) <br> Defensive coordinator
| highlights     = ; As a player
* [[List of Super Bowl champions|Super Bowl champion]] ([[Super Bowl XX|XX]])
* 2× [[AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year|NFL Defensive Player of the Year]] (1985, 1988)
* [[NFL Man of the Year]] (1990)
* 7× First-team [[All-Pro]] ([[1984 All-Pro Team|1984]]–[[1989 All-Pro Team|1989]], [[1991 All-Pro Team|1991]])
* Second-team All-Pro ([[1990 All-Pro Team|1990]])
* 10× [[Pro Bowl]] ([[1984 Pro Bowl|1983]]–[[1993 Pro Bowl|1992]])
* [[NFL 1980s All-Decade Team]]
* [[Bart Starr Award]] (1991)
* [[Pro Football Writers of America NFL All-Rookie Team|PFWA All-Rookie Team]] ([[Pro Football Writers of America NFL All-Rookie Team#1981|1981]])
* [[Chicago Bears#Top 100 greatest Bears of all-time|100 greatest Bears of All-Time]]
* [[List of unanimous All-Americans in college football|Unanimous All-American]] ([[1980 College Football All-America Team|1980]])
* Consensus [[College Football All-America Team|All-American]] ([[1979 College Football All-America Team|1979]])
* 2× [[Davey O'Brien Award#Davey O'Brien Memorial Trophy|Davey O'Brien Memorial Trophy]] (1979, 1980)
* 2× [[Southwest Conference football individual awards|SWC Player of the Year]] (1979, 1980)
* 3× First-team All-SWC ([[1978 All-Southwest Conference football team|1978]]–[[1980 All-Southwest Conference football team|1980]])
; As a coach
* [[The Spring League#Champions|TSL champion]] (2020)
| statlabel1     = Total [[Tackle (football move)#Gridiron football|tackles]]
| statvalue1     = 1,488
| statlabel2     = [[Interception]]s
| statvalue2     = 7
| statlabel3     = Interception yards
| statvalue3     = 44
| statlabel4     = [[Fumble]] recoveries
| statvalue4     = 12
| statlabel5     = [[Quarterback sack|Sacks]]
| statvalue5     = 19
| overall_record = NFL: {{Winning percentage|18|22|record=y}} <br> AAF: {{Winning percentage|2|6|record=y}}
| pfr            = S/SingMi00
| pfrcoach       = SingMi0
| HOF            = mike-singletary
| CollegeHOF     = 1968 
}}

'''Michael Singletary''' (born October 9, 1958), nicknamed "'''Samurai Mike'''",<ref>{{cite web |title=Mike Singletary {{!}} Biography & Facts {{!}} Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Mike-Singletary |website=www.britannica.com |access-date=March 23, 2022 |language=en}}</ref> is an American former professional [[American football|football]] player and coach. He played as a [[linebacker]] for the [[Chicago Bears]] of the [[National Football League]] (NFL). After playing [[college football]] for the [[Baylor Bears football|Baylor Bears]], Singletary was selected by the Bears in the second round of the [[1981 NFL draft]] and was known as "'''the Heart of the Defense'''" for their [[Monsters of the Midway]] defense in the mid-1980s. He was part of their [[Super Bowl XX]] championship team that beat the [[1985 New England Patriots season|New England Patriots]]. Singletary was inducted into the [[Texas Sports Hall of Fame]] in 1995 and into the [[Pro Football Hall of Fame]] in 1998.

Singletary later pursued a career as a coach, first as a linebackers coach for the [[Baltimore Ravens]], then as the linebackers coach for the [[San Francisco 49ers]]. In 2008, the 49ers promoted Singletary to the head coaching position after previous head coach [[Mike Nolan]] was fired during the season, and he remained in that position until he was fired after the 49ers were eliminated from playoff contention<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=5958834|title=San Francisco 49ers sack Singletary as coach after elimination|date=December 27, 2010|website=ESPN|access-date=September 19, 2017|archive-date=September 20, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170920101623/http://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=5958834|url-status=live}}</ref> with one game remaining in the 2010 season. He has also coached for the [[Los Angeles Rams]], the [[Memphis Express]] of the now-defunct [[Alliance of American Football]] (AAF), and a brief two-season stint as the head coach of a [[High school football|high school]] team.

==Early life==
Mike Singletary was born in [[Houston]], the last of ten children.<ref name=Knapp/> Singletary's father, Charles, was a street preacher in [[Dallas]]. 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.<ref name=Hersh>{{cite news|last1=Hersh|first1=Phil|title=Complex Man, Simple Goal: To Be The Best. Ever.|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1986/09/07/samuri-2/|access-date=January 18, 2016|newspaper=Chicago Tribune|date=September 7, 1986|archive-date=February 12, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160212012118/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1986-09-07/sports/8603070275_1_charles-singletary-work-ethic-push|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=Warren>{{cite news|last1=Warren|first1=Lee|title=NFL's Mike Singletary - Pentecostal preacher's son - in 'A Football Life' on NFL Network|url=http://www.christianexaminer.com/article/nfls-mike-singletary-pentecostal-preachers-son-in-a-football-life-on-nfl-network/49845.htm|access-date=January 18, 2016|publisher=Christian Examiner|date=November 26, 2015|archive-date=February 12, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160212012118/http://www.christianexaminer.com/article/nfls-mike-singletary-pentecostal-preachers-son-in-a-football-life-on-nfl-network/49845.htm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=Knapp/> 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 including [[Roger Staubach]], [[Bob Lilly]], and [[Lee 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.<ref name="Knapp" /> The drunk driver survived the accident uninjured.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://gotoball.weebly.com/uploads/1/1/5/4/11544433/____mike_singletary_-_first_and_goal_devotional.pdf|title="IRON" MIKE SINGLETARY – Minister of Defense and Linebacker|work=Go To Ball|access-date=February 10, 2019|archive-date=February 12, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190212011513/https://gotoball.weebly.com/uploads/1/1/5/4/11544433/____mike_singletary_-_first_and_goal_devotional.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>

Singletary attended high school at [[Worthing High School (Houston, Texas)|Evan 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 to [[Baylor University]], and would meet the next mentor in his life, Baylor coach [[Grant Teaff]].<ref>{{cite book |title=Calling the Shots |year=1986 |location=Chicago |publisher=Contemporary Books |isbn=0809248816 |url=https://archive.org/details/callingshots00sing }}</ref>

==College career==
Mike Singletary attended college at [[Baylor University]] in [[Waco, Texas]]. As a linebacker at Baylor, Singletary earned [[College Football All-America Team|All-American]] honors in both junior ([[1979 College Football All-America Team|1979]]) and senior ([[1980 College Football All-America Team|1980]]) years, where he averaged 15 [[Tackle (football move)|tackles]] per game and established a team record with 232 tackles in 1978, including 35 in a game against the [[University 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 the [[Davey O'Brien Award|Davey 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.)

==Professional career==
{{BLP sources section|date=May 2020}}
At {{convert|6|ft|m|abbr=on}}, {{convert|230|lb|abbr=on}}, Singletary became a [[Starting lineup|starting]] linebacker in the Chicago Bears defense in the eighth game of his rookie season ([[1981 Chicago Bears season|1981]]). In a game against the [[Kansas City Chiefs]], his third as a starter, Singletary gave a remarkable defensive performance, recording 10 tackles and forcing a [[fumble]]. 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 in [[1986 Chicago Bears season|1986]]. He made 7 [[interception]]s and 12 fumble recoveries.

In a game against the [[Denver Broncos]] in [[1990 Chicago Bears season|1990]] he had a personal-best performance when he recorded 10 solo tackles and 10 assists. Selected to play in a team record 10 [[Pro Bowl]]s, Singletary was [[All-Pro]] eight times, and All-[[National Football Conference|NFC]] every year from [[1983 NFL season|1983]] to [[1991 NFL season|1991]].

He led the Bears to a 15–1 season in 1985. The [[46 defense|"46" defense]] invented by [[Buddy Ryan]] allowed Singletary to be unblocked on virtually every play. That season, he recorded 109 solo tackles (52 assists), 3 [[Quarterback sack|sacks]], 1 interception, 3 fumble recoveries, 1 forced fumble, and 10 [[Pass deflected|defended passes]]. He won the NFL Defensive Player of the Year,<ref>''[[America's Game: The Super Bowl Champions]]'', "#2. 1985 Chicago Bears." [[CBS]], February 3, 2007.</ref> and led a defense that was ranked 1st overall (1st against the rush; 3rd against the pass).

Throughout the [[NFL playoffs, 1985–86|1985 playoffs]], Singletary provided stellar efforts in all 3 games. In the divisional game against the [[New York Giants]] at home, Singletary recovered a fumble early in the 1st quarter and a sack of quarterback [[Phil Simms]] on a 3rd down early in the 3rd quarter. The Bears went on to win 21–0. In the [[NFC Championship Game]] vs. the [[Los Angeles Rams]], Singletary and the Bears dominated again. Coach [[Mike 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 stopped [[Eric Dickerson]] behind the line of scrimmage on third-and-short early in the 2nd quarter. The Bears would eventually go to win [[Super Bowl XX]] by beating the [[New England Patriots]] 46–10.<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 27, 1986 |title=Bears Trounce Patriots, 46-10, in Super Bowl |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1986-01-27-mn-540-story.html |access-date=October 31, 2023 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref> In the game, Singletary broke up a pass that would have gone for a touchdown, delivered jarring hits to New England [[running back]] [[Craig James (running back)|Craig James]] all game, and tied a Super Bowl record with 2 fumble recoveries.

[[File:1985 Chicago Bears Visit the White House.webm|thumb|right|300px|'1985 Chicago Bears Visit the White House' - video from White House]]
Singletary was named [[NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award|NFL Defensive Player of the Year]] by the [[Associated Press]] in 1985 and 1988. He was elected to the [[College Football Hall of Fame]] in 1995 and to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1998. In 1999, he was ranked number 56 on ''[[The Sporting News]]''' list of the 100 Greatest Football Players.

==Coaching career==
===Early career===
In 2002, a group of alumni at Baylor University promoted Singletary for the school's open head coaching position, holding a conference call (which included [[Mike Ditka]] and [[Dave McGinnis]]) with the university administration.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Stewart |first=Mandel |title=Attention, Baylor: Coaching call too crucial to waste |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/inside_game/stewart_mandel/news/2002/11/26/mandel_insider/ |magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]] |date=November 27, 2002 |access-date=December 28, 2008 |archive-date=November 3, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103180707/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/inside_game/stewart_mandel/news/2002/11/26/mandel_insider/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> The position ultimately went to [[Guy 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."<ref>{{cite news |last=Barron |first=David |title=Morriss 'ready to go to work' / Baylor introduces coach |url=http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=2002_3608745 |newspaper=[[Houston Chronicle]] |date=December 12, 2002 |access-date=December 28, 2008 |archive-date=October 20, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020190446/http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=2002_3608745 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In [[2003 NFL season|2003]], Singletary became the linebackers coach for the [[Baltimore Ravens]].

Following the [[2004 NFL season|2004 season]], the [[San Francisco 49ers]] hired Ravens [[defensive coordinator]] [[Mike Nolan]] to be their head coach, and Singletary left the Ravens with Nolan to be San Francisco's assistant head coach and linebackers coach.
In [[2007 NFL season|2007]], Singletary interviewed for the head coaching job of the [[Dallas Cowboys]] and [[San 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.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/colleges/topstories/stories/111007dnspobaylorlede.283d4e7.html |title=Ex-Baylor star Singletary expresses interest in Baylor job |publisher=Dallasnews.com |date=November 9, 2007 |access-date=November 25, 2010 |archive-date=October 28, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081028133356/http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/colleges/topstories/stories/111007dnspobaylorlede.283d4e7.html |url-status=live }}</ref> On November 19, 2007, Baylor athletic director Ian McCaw flew to [[San Francisco, California|San Francisco]] to interview Singletary.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wacotrib.com/news/content/news/stories/2007/11/19/11192007wacbufbbreak.html?imw=Y|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130205162224/http://www.wacotrib.com/news/content/news/stories/2007/11/19/11192007wacbufbbreak.html?imw=Y|url-status=dead|title=Waco, Texas news, sports, weather, events, classifieds & more - Wacot ...|date=February 5, 2013|archive-date=February 5, 2013|access-date=August 2, 2017}}</ref> However, Singletary decided against taking the position, which instead went to [[Art Briles]].<ref>[http://www.star-telegram.com/sports/story/316730.html Article] in ''Star Telegram'' {{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> Singletary's son Matt<ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite web |url=http://baylorbears.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/singletary_matt00.html |title=Matt Singletary, player profile |publisher=Baylorbears.cstv.com |date=February 22, 1988 |access-date=November 25, 2010 |archive-date=April 18, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090418171200/http://baylorbears.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/singletary_matt00.html |url-status=live }}</ref> was a freshman on the Baylor team in 2007.

[[Image:Mike Singletary at Rams at 49ers 11-16-08.JPG|thumb|Singletary (center) during a game against the [[2008 St. Louis Rams season|St. Louis Rams]] on November 16, 2008]]

===San Francisco 49ers===
====2008 season====
Singletary became the interim head coach of the 49ers after Nolan was fired on October 20, 2008.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://blogs.nfl.com/2008/10/20/niners-fire-nolan-after-2-5-start/ |title=Niners fire Nolan after 2-5 start |work=[[NFL.com]] |date=October 20, 2008 |access-date=November 25, 2010 |archive-date=March 27, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120327115237/http://blogs.nfl.com/2008/10/20/niners-fire-nolan-after-2-5-start/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Singletary instantly made a statement in San Francisco by sending tight end [[Vernon Davis]] to the locker room with more than 10 minutes remaining in his head coaching debut, a 34–13 loss to the [[Seattle Seahawks]] on October 26, 2008. Davis was penalized 15 yards for slapping Seattle safety [[Brian 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.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d80bf88c7&template=with-video-with-comments&confirm=true |title=Singletary puts stamp on Niners with hard-line stance |website=NFL.com |date=October 27, 2008 |access-date=November 25, 2010 |archive-date=March 7, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090307113755/http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d80bf88c7&template=with-video-with-comments&confirm=true |url-status=live }}</ref> He boldly declared in that same speech, "I want winners!", which became a staple on billboards around the Bay Area during his coaching tenure.<ref>{{cite web |title=Singletary turning around 49ers his way |url=https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/singletary-turning-around-49ers-his-way |work=FOX Sports |access-date=August 9, 2022 |date=October 17, 2009}}</ref> 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.<ref>[https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=3673441 Singletary dropped pants at halftime to make point to 49ers], ESPN.com, October 30, 2008</ref>

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 the [[Washington 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.

====2009 season====
After leading the 49ers to a positive finish in 2008, Singletary helped the team jump out to a 3–1 overall start in the [[2009 San Francisco 49ers season|2009 season]]. Despite a last-second loss to the [[Brett Favre]]-led [[Minnesota Vikings]] in week 3, the 49ers recorded wins against the reigning NFC champion [[Arizona Cardinals]] and [[NFC West]] divisional rival Seattle Seahawks and St. Louis Rams.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/teams/schedule?team=sfo |title=San Francisco 49ers 2010 Schedule - 49ers Home and Away - ESPN |publisher=[[ESPN]] |access-date=November 25, 2010 |archive-date=April 24, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100424230345/http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/teams/schedule?team=sfo |url-status=dead }}</ref>

While the 49ers were being blown out by the visiting [[Atlanta 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."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/recap?gameId=291011025 |title=Atlanta Falcons vs. San Francisco 49ers - Recap - October 11, 2009 - ESPN |publisher=[[ESPN]] |date=October 11, 2009 |access-date=November 25, 2010 |archive-date=October 15, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091015140636/http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/recap?gameId=291011025 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In the weeks to come, Singletary and [[offensive coordinator]] [[Jimmy Raye II|Jimmy Raye]] would drastically alter the 49ers' game plan, opting to start quarterback [[Alex Smith]] in place of [[Shaun Hill]] while adopting more of a [[spread offense]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Pisar |first=Christopher |url=http://www.ninersnation.com/2009/10/29/1105796/alex-smith-the-49ers-and-the |title=Alex Smith, the 49ers and the "spread offense" |publisher=Niners Nation |date=October 29, 2009 |access-date=November 25, 2010 |archive-date=July 14, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714183659/http://www.ninersnation.com/2009/10/29/1105796/alex-smith-the-49ers-and-the |url-status=live }}</ref> 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 14 [[Monday Night Football]] matchup against the Arizona Cardinals, however, Singletary and his coaching staff were better able to integrate [[running back]] [[Frank Gore]] into the spread offense and pulled off an impressive 24–9 victory.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/recap?gameId=291214025 |title=Arizona Cardinals vs. San Francisco 49ers - Recap - December 14, 2009 - ESPN |publisher=[[ESPN]] |date=December 14, 2009 |access-date=November 25, 2010 |archive-date=November 2, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101102023949/http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/recap?gameId=291214025 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

With this momentum and their slim playoff hopes still alive, the 49ers visited the [[Philadelphia Eagles]] in week 15, and lost 27–13.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/recap?gameId=291220021 |title=San Francisco 49ers vs. Philadelphia Eagles - Recap - December 20, 2009 - ESPN |publisher=[[ESPN]] |date=December 20, 2009 |access-date=November 25, 2010 |archive-date=November 2, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101102191802/http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/recap?gameId=291220021 |url-status=dead }}</ref> After the game, a disappointed Singletary emphasized his team's continued need to improve, but still backed Smith as the team's starting quarterback.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/12/20/SPLL1B76JQ.DTL | work=The San Francisco Chronicle | title=Why does Singletary believe in Smith? | first=Gwen | last=Knapp | date=December 26, 2009 | access-date=April 29, 2021 | archive-date=February 25, 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100225083823/http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=%2Fc%2Fa%2F2009%2F12%2F20%2FSPLL1B76JQ.DTL | url-status=live }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=San Francisco 49ers Team Records, Leaders, and League Ranks |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/sfo/ |access-date=2024-12-25 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref>

Five players on the 2009 team were named to play in the [[Pro Bowl|NFL Pro Bowl]]. Those players were [[Patrick Willis]], [[Andy Lee (American football)|Andy Lee]], [[Vernon Davis]], [[Frank Gore]], and [[Justin Smith (defensive end)|Justin Smith]].

Also in 2009, Singletary joined other members of the 1985 Chicago Bears in resurrecting the [[Super Bowl Shuffle]] for a [[Boost Mobile]] commercial broadcast during [[Super Bowl XLIV]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Greenberg |first=Jon |date=January 15, 2010 |title=Chicago Bears' "Super Bowl Shuffle" an enduring, endearing sports moment |url=https://www.espn.com/chicago/nfl/columns/story?columnist=greenberg_jon&id=4827883 |access-date=October 13, 2023 |website=ESPN.com}}</ref>

====2010 season====
The 49ers began the 2010 season with an 0–5 record, marking their worst start since 1979.<ref>[http://www.mercurynews.com/fdcp?1286814125395 49ers lose to Eagles, fall to 0–5 for first time since 1979] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628204424/http://www.mercurynews.com/fdcp?1286814125395 |date=June 28, 2011 }}, October 10, 2010, [http://www.mercurynews.com www.mercurynews.com] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070308111708/http://www.mercurynews.com/ |date=March 8, 2007 }}, Retrieved 10/11/10.</ref> The team's first win of the season came in week 6 by defeating the [[2010 Oakland Raiders season|Oakland Raiders]]. In week 10, San Francisco narrowly defeated the [[2010 St. Louis Rams season|St. 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 the [[2010 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season|Tampa 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.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/ninerinsider/detail?entry_id=79795 | work=The San Francisco Chronicle | title=Niner Insider | access-date=December 27, 2010 | archive-date=December 30, 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101230142103/http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/ninerinsider/detail?entry_id=79795 | url-status=live }}</ref> Defensive line coach [[Jim Tomsula]] took over for the final week of the season.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=5958834 | title=Mike Singletary out, D-line aide in at S.F. | date=December 26, 2010 | work=ESPN | access-date=October 30, 2022}}</ref>

===Minnesota Vikings===
On January 18, 2011, Singletary confirmed that he had agreed to join the [[Minnesota Vikings]] coaching staff as the linebackers coach/assistant to the head coach, former Bears teammate [[Leslie Frazier]], a position he would hold through the 2013 season.<ref>Daniel Stern interview, ESPN 1000 AM, Chicago, January 18, 2011.</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2011-01-18 |title=Singletary to join Frazier, will coach Vikings' LBs |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=6033462&campaign=rss&source=twitter&ex_cid=Twitter_espn_6033462 |access-date=2025-04-19 |website=ESPN.com|agency=Associated Press |language=en}}</ref>

===Los Angeles Rams===
After being out of the league since 2014, Singletary interviewed with the [[New York Giants]] for their vacant linebacking coach position.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/JosinaAnderson/status/690131633043816448|title=I'm told former #49ers head coach Mike Singletary is interviewing with the #Giants today for their linebackers coach position.|first=Josina|last=Anderson|date=January 21, 2016|access-date=August 2, 2017|archive-date=November 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108132332/https://twitter.com/JosinaAnderson/status/690131633043816448|url-status=live}}</ref> Giants head coach [[Ben McAdoo]] and Singletary both worked together with the 49ers in 2005. The Giants eventually hired former [[Philadelphia Eagles]] assistant [[Bill McGovern (American football)|Bill McGovern]] for the position.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.northjersey.com/sports/football/giants/big-blue-adding-bc-great-1.1497917 | title=Giants hire BC's Bill McGovern as linebackers coach | date=January 23, 2016 | first=Art | last=Stapleton | work=[[The Record (North Jersey)|The Record]] | location=[[Woodland Park, New Jersey]] | access-date=October 30, 2022 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160127045210/http://www.northjersey.com/sports/football/giants/big-blue-adding-bc-great-1.1497917 | archive-date=January 27, 2016}}</ref>

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 the [[Los Angeles Rams]] defense. The move reunited Singletary with former Bears teammate and then-Rams head coach [[Jeff Fisher]].

===Memphis Express===
On May 10, 2018, Singletary was named head coach of the [[Memphis Express]] of the [[Alliance of American Football]]. The Express went 2–6 before the league cancelled the rest of the season. The league eventually ceased operations altogether.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/mike-singletary-will-coach-memphis-team-in-upcoming-alliance-of-american-football/|title=Mike Singletary will coach Memphis team in upcoming Alliance of American Football|author=Benjamin, Cody|work=CBSSports.com|date=May 10, 2018|access-date=May 14, 2018|language=en|archive-date=May 15, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180515043514/https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/mike-singletary-will-coach-memphis-team-in-upcoming-alliance-of-american-football/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===High school coaching===
On March 29, 2018, Singletary accepted a job at [[Trinity Christian Academy (Addison, Texas)|Trinity Christian Academy]] in [[Addison, Texas]]. He left the school in December 2019 after going 1–21 in two seasons.<ref>{{cite web | title=Ex-49ers coach Mike Singletary out after two years at Texas high school | first=Scott | last=Bair | date=May 22, 2020 | url=https://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/49ers/ex-49ers-coach-mike-singletary-out-after-two-years-texas-high-school | website=NBC Sports Bay Area | access-date=October 30, 2022}}</ref>

==Head coaching record==
===National Football League===
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%; text-align:center;"
|-
! rowspan="2"|Team !! rowspan="2"|Year !! colspan="5"|Regular season !! colspan="4"|Postseason
|-
! Won !! Lost !! Ties !! Win % !! Finish !! Won !! Lost !! Win % !! Result
|-
! [[2008 San Francisco 49ers season|SF]] || [[2008 NFL season|2008*]]
| 5 || 4 || 0 || {{winpct|5|4}} || 2nd in NFC West || — || — || — || —
|-
![[2009 San Francisco 49ers season|SF]] || [[2009 NFL season|2009]]
| 8 || 8 || 0 || {{winpct|8|8}} || 2nd in NFC West || — || — || — || —
|-
![[2010 San Francisco 49ers season|SF]] || [[2010 NFL season|2010]]
| 5 || 10 || 0 || {{winpct|5|10}} || Fired || — || — || — || —
|-
! colspan="2"|Total<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/coaches/SingMi0.htm |title=Mike Singletary Record, Statistics, and Category Ranks |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |date=October 9, 1958 |access-date=November 25, 2010 |archive-date=September 19, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100919155206/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/coaches/SingMi0.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>
! 18 || 22 || 0 || {{winpct|18|22}} || || 0 || 0 || .000 ||
|}

<small>* ''Interim head coach''</small>

===Alliance of American Football===
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%; text-align:center;"
|-
! rowspan="2"| Team !! rowspan="2"| Year !! colspan="5"| Regular season !! colspan="4"| Postseason
|-
! Won !! Lost !! Ties !! Win % !! Finish !! Won !! Lost !! Win % !! Result
|-
! [[2019 Memphis Express season|MEM]] || [[2019 AAF season|2019]]
| 2 || 6 || 0 || {{winpct|2|6}} || 3rd in Eastern Conference || — || — || — || —
|-
! colspan="2"| Total || 2 || 6 || 0 || {{winpct|2|6}} || || 0 || 0 || .000 ||
|}

===High school===
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%; text-align:center;"
|-
! rowspan="2"| Team !! rowspan="2"| Year !! colspan="3"| Regular season !! colspan="4"| Postseason
|-
! Won !! Lost !! Win % !! Won !! Lost !! Win % !! Result
|-
! Trinity || 2018 
| 1 || 10 || {{winpct|1|10}} || — || — || — || —
|-
! Trinity || 2019 
| 0 || 11 || {{winpct|0|11}} || — || — || — || —
|-
! colspan="2"| Trinity || 1 || 21 || {{winpct|1|21|0}} || 0 || 0 || .000 ||
|}

==Additional pursuits==
Singletary is a [[motivational speaker]] and an ordained minister.

He has co-authored several books:
*''Calling the Shots: Mike Singletary'' (with Armen Keteyian), McGraw-Hill Contemporary, 1986. {{ISBN|0-8092-4881-6}}
*''Singletary on Singletary'' (with Jerry B. Jenkins), Thomas Nelson Inc., 1991. {{ISBN|0-8407-7654-3}}
*''Daddy's Home at Last What It Takes for Dads to Put Families First'' (with Russ Pate), Zondervan, 1998. {{ISBN|0-310-21569-2}}
*''Singletary One-on-One'' (with Jay Carty), Regal Books, 2005. {{ISBN|0-8307-3702-2}}

Singletary was a contestant on the first season of the CBS reality series ''[[Beyond the Edge (TV series)|Beyond the Edge]]'', which premiered in March 2022.<ref>{{cite news|last=Bloom|first=Mike|title=A New Celebrity Survival Show! Meet the Cast of the CBS Series Beyond the Edge|url=https://parade.com/1329830/mikebloom/beyond-the-edge-cbs-cast/|work=[[Parade (magazine)|Parade]]|date=March 16, 2022|access-date=March 22, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220216004611/https://parade.com/1329830/mikebloom/beyond-the-edge-cbs-cast/|archive-date=February 16, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Personal life==
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."<ref>{{cite web|last=Little|first=Aaron M|title=Mike Singletary: 'Christ Means Everything'|url=https://www1.cbn.com/700club/mike-singletary-christ-means-everything-0|work=[[The 700 Club]]|date=August 25, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220322150252/https://www1.cbn.com/700club/mike-singletary-christ-means-everything-0|archive-date=March 22, 2022}}</ref>

Singletary and his wife, Kim, have seven children.<ref name=Knapp>{{cite news|last1=Knapp|first1=Gwen|title=49ers coach Singletary: hard head, open mind|url=http://www.sfgate.com/49ers/article/49ers-coach-Singletary-hard-head-open-mind-3209970.php|access-date=January 18, 2016|newspaper=SFGate|date=November 22, 2009|archive-date=January 9, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160109224134/http://www.sfgate.com/49ers/article/49ers-coach-Singletary-hard-head-open-mind-3209970.php|url-status=live}}</ref> His son Matt<ref name="autogenerated1"/> joined [[Baylor University]]'s roster in 2007 as a freshman defensive end. However, Matt transferred to [[California Polytechnic State University]] where he was a defensive end. Singletary's nephew, [[Vantz Singletary|Vantz]], was a linebackers coach at [[Liberty University]] and previously coached under Mike when he coached with the 49ers.<ref>{{cite web|title=Vantz Singletary Coach Profile|url=http://www.kuathletics.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/singletary_vantz00.html|work=KU Athletics official site|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110918094416/http://www.kuathletics.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/singletary_vantz00.html|archive-date=September 18, 2011}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* {{Profootballhof|id=196|name=Mike Singletary}}
* {{cfbhof|id=1968|name=Mike Singletary}}

{{San Francisco 49ers coach navbox}}
{{AAFHeadCoaches}}
{{Navboxes
| title = Mike Singletary—awards, championships, and honors
| list1 =
{{1979 NCAA Division I-A College Football Consensus All-Americans}}
{{1980 NCAA Division I-A College Football Consensus All-Americans}}
{{1969-1994 All-America Team}}
{{Bears1981DraftPicks}}
{{NFL DPOYs}}
{{"Whizzer" White NFL Man of the Year}}
{{Walter Payton Man of the Year Award}}
{{Bart Starr Award}}
{{Super Bowl XX}}
{{NFL1980s}}
{{1998 Football HOF}}
{{Pro Football Hall of Fame members}}
{{Walter Camp Man of the Year}}

}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Singletary, Mike}}
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