New York Giants: 10 Potential Defensive Coordinator Replacements For Perry Fewell
May 3, 2012; Eden Prairie, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings assistant head coach and linebackers coach Mike Singletary teaches players in drills at the Minnesota Vikings Rookie Minicamp at Winter Park. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
Current Position: None
Last Position: Special Assistant to Head Coach/Linebackers Coach Minnesota Vikings
When Singletary was the interim coach with the San Francisco 49ers after Mike Nolan was fired in 2008, he set the tone early by sending tight end Vernon Davis to the locker room early after he picked up a 15-yard personal foul. Singletary lit into one of his better players in a post game interview, saying Davis was “uncoachable” and that he would rather play with 10 players than an apathetic 11-man squad.
That set the tone for a turnaround with the 49ers, who finished the season 5-4 under his watch, earning him the fulltime head coaching job. He continued the success in 2009, finishing 8-8, the first non-losing record the 49ers had since 2002.
Things quickly went off the rails for Singletary and the 49ers though, as the 2010 season was nowhere near as successful. A 0-5 start doomed them from the beginning, as they also suffered their first home shutout since 1977 later in the season. It all resulted in Singletary being fired after a Week 16 loss once the 49ers were eliminated from playoff contention.
Things didn’t go too well in San Francisco for Singletary, but he draw a little bit of the short stick. He only had one full season as head coach, never really getting a chance to bring his players in or install the system that he wanted.
While he didn’t have a job this past season, it couldn’t hurt the Giants to give him a call. Singletary was one of the most feared linebackers during his playing days with the Chicago Bears and he carried that demeanor over to his coaching style. It is the kind of style that would endear him to Coughlin, making them a strong match.
There are a couple of things working against Singletary though, as he is not as young as some of the other candidates on this list, yet lacks the coaching experience some of them have. It is not a good combination to have, but everyone deserves a second chance, and the Giants could be the team to give that to Singletary.
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