The Bears’ defensive coordinator search ratcheted up in stature this week, now involving one of the biggest names in franchise history. Hall of Fame linebacker Mike Singletary met with Bears brass about their DC position this week, Adam Jahns and Kevin Fishbain of The Athletic report (subscription required).
Singletary has not coached in the NFL since being the Vikings’ linebackers coach during ex-teammate Leslie Frazier‘s Minnesota stay (2011-13), but he brings head coaching experience and quite the legacy with the Bears. The middle linebacker on their storied 1985 Super Bowl squad, Singletary earned first-ballot Hall of Fame status after his 12-year Bears career concluded.
Most recently, the ex-49ers head coach worked with The Spring League last year and as head coach of the Alliance of American Football’s Memphis Express in 2019. Singletary, 62, served as an advisor with the 2016 Rams as well. But the Chicago legend’s most notable coaching work obviously came with San Francisco.
Singletary went 18-22 with the 49ers, rising to their head coaching role in 2008 and staying through the 2010 season. While the overall results were mixed, Singletary did oversee the 2009 squad’s defense to a top-five ranking. Prior to presiding over Patrick Willis‘ early-career work, Singletary coached the Ravens’ linebackers for two seasons. The first of those, 2003, featured Ray Lewis following in Singletary’s footsteps by winning Defensive Player of the Year acclaim for the second time.
Chicago lost two-year DC Chuck Pagano to retirement and has assembled a short list of replacement options in the days since. Singletary joins internal candidates Jay Rodgers (D-line) and Sean Desai (safeties), ex-Cardinals and Giants DC James Bettcher and Colts DBs coach Jonathan Gannon.
Yes
What’s wrong with him being the head coach? Why just DC
Isn’t it obvious?
That you’re not too bright? Yes. Yes it is.
Well for starters they don’t have a head coaching vacancy. Also he was a disaster as a head coach.
Okay great point. Bears HC should be on the hot seat though
He is and if he fails we will have a new GM, a new head coach, a new OC and a new DC after next season.
Not true As long as laser calls the plays then Nagy control the team were good
Sadly laser calling the plays was waning at the end. I saw a lot of ridiculous motion plays the last 2 games. We all know where those stupid plays came from.
No better as a defense coach his offense schemes are not much
His defenses weren’t good after he fired Rivera who was a better coach than Lovie is. Lovie was a good lb coach maybe he
Should do that.
Lovie Smith? Is he mentioned?
I’d love to see him get the job.
DC this year, then slides into the HC role after Nagy gets fired. The next Coach Ditka.
It just feels so right doesn’t it Bears fans.
DC for now , HC next year after another lost season with Nagy as HC
Please sell the team you lost McCaskeys , you were all idiots in HS at Notre Dame in Niles, nothing changes with drunks running the team!!
Wasn’t it Gary Fencik who called the defensive audibles for the Bears back in the glory days? Maybe they should check on his interest in the job.