SINGLETARY PERFECT FOR BAYLOR
No-nonsense alumnus demands accountability
Since the football program at his alma mater went up in flames last week, Mike Singletary’s cellphone has barely stopped ringing. Everybody wants his reaction.
He is reluctant to get too deep with it, though the facts speak volumes about the train wreck at Baylor. Heads are rolling in Waco, Texas, after an investigation concluded the program led by sinceousted head coach Art Briles failed to take proper action after numerous complaints of sexual assaults by football players.
“Hopefully it gets cleaned up and figured out,” Singletary told USA TODAY Sports.
You know this situation hits home with Singletary, 57, who grew up in Texas the son of a preacher. One of the most accomplished players ever produced by the school, the Hall of Fame linebacker is a Baylor legend. He cares about Baylor. Monday, news came that former Wake Forest coach Jim Grobe will be named interim coach at Baylor for the 2016 season, a person with knowledge of the move told USA TODAY Sports’ Dan Wolken. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the decision had not been made public.
But as the university conducts a full search, it need not look any further than Singletary, who cast a take-no-mess image during his stint as San Francisco 49ers coach.
Never mind that Singletary, whose NFL playing career was best defined as the glue to the phenomenal defense that carried the Chicago Bears to a Super Bowl XX crown, is nobody’s offensive whiz. That’s where a strong staff matters. He knows football well enough.
We’re talking about the leadership at the top that Baylor so desperately needs.
Singletary, who interviewed for the head coaching job at Baylor in 2002 and 2007, is out of coaching. He said he has had recent discussions with multiple teams about returning to the coaching ranks as soon as this season, presumably as an assistant on an NFL staff. His last job was with the Minnesota Vikings from 2011 to 2013 as a special assistant to the head coach (Leslie Frazier) and linebackers coach.
Is he interested in the Baylor job?
“The most important thing for me to do is just wait and see what they’re thinking,” he said. “We’ll just have to wait and see.” Sounds like he’s willing to talk. “I won’t rule it out,” Singletary said. “Right now, I’m trying to let it work itself out.”
Firing Briles had to happen. He built a top-10 program, winning 50 games and two Big-12 titles over the last five years. But if the school is really about its mission and those Christian values it touts, the football record — and this might sound sacrilegious in football-crazed Texas — should have nothing to do with the priorities needing to be restored now.
During 21⁄ seasons as 49ers coach, including an interim tag, Singletary was 18-22, without a playoff berth. That record might present reservations. But some pretty good coaches have done better the second time around, with Bill Belichick being the classic example.
Besides, Singletary’s attractiveness includes that classic snapshot from his 49ers days, after he sent tight end Vernon Davis to the showers because of silly penalties. In a fiery postgame expres- sion, Singletary declared that there were certain types of players he couldn’t win with — although Davis ultimately came around to respect his coach immensely.
Singletary drew some static, and people labeled it a rant.
I always thought it was perfect enough. He explained, in strong terms that made his message clear, what he wouldn’t tolerate and why.
“He feels like coaching is his calling,” former NFL executive John Wooten told USA TODAY Sports.
Wooten, who once blocked for Jim Brown and scouted for the Dallas Cowboys, is chairman of the Fritz Pollard Alliance, which monitors and promotes minority hiring. Living in Dallas, Wooten knows better than most that Baylor would have to buck a trend in more ways than one in bringing back Singletary. Despite the high percentage of African-American players, there have been few opportunities for African-American coaches to lead major-college programs.
Baylor can make another type of statement with Singletary.
“He’d be great for recruiting,” Wooten added. “Especially in Texas, where the parents know Singletary as a player.”
Then again, it’s hardly all about football.
“He’s such a strong Christian person,” Wooten said. “Baylor being such a Christian school, you know he matches up with what they’re about.”
Or at least he should match up.