Since the football program at his alma mater went up in flames this week, Mike Singletary’s cellphone has barely stopped ringing. Everybody wants his reaction.
He is reluctant to get too deep with it, although the facts speak volumes about the train wreck at Baylor. Heads are rolling at Waco, Texas, after an investigation concluded that the program led by since-ousted head coach Art Briles failed to take proper action following numerous complaints of sexual assaults by football players.
“Hopefully, it gets cleaned up and figured out,” Singletary told USA TODAY Sports on Saturday.
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.
Those are just some of the reasons that Singletary — who cast a take-no-mess image during his stint as San Francisco 49ers coach — should be the next Baylor 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.
“Experience. Reputation. Ties to the school. He’s a good fit,” maintains Hall of Famer Kellen Winslow.
Winslow isn’t connected to Baylor, but his perspective is valuable. He’s one of the most thoughtful people I’ve encountered when it comes to connecting the dots between big time sports and societal issues. Since playing, Winslow’s journey included stints as athletic director at Central State University and Florida A&M.
When considering Baylor’s mess, he realizes how the administration, alumni, the football operation and public trust intersect.
“They need to restore their credibility, as a school and with their football program,” Winslow told USA TODAY Sports. “To do that, you need to change the whole culture.”
Singletary, who twice interviewed for the head coaching job at Baylor, in 2002 and 2007, is currently out of coaching. He told USA TODAY Sports that 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 2011-13, 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.”
Memo to the Board of Regents: Call Mike Singletary. Like yesterday.
Firing Briles had to happen. He built a top-10 program, winning 50 games and two Big-12 titles over the past five years. But if the school is really about its mission and those Christian values that it touts, the football record — and this may sound sacrilegious in football-crazed Texas — should have nothing to do with the priorities needing to be restored now.
OK, they had their fun as a big-time football power. Even saw a Heisman Trophy winner come through with Robert Griffin III. Now how about trying to win without a program that operates outside of the rules for common decency?
Baylor has a chance to make a statement about what it stands for as an institution, that it is willing to sacrifice the football program to do what's right.
According to ESPN, the school is poised to name defensive coordinator Phil Bennett as interim coach. Perhaps that would maintain some continuity with the program, but it would also fuel a lot of questions about how involved Bennett and others on the coaching staff were in the systematic failure to address the alleged misconduct and attached indiscretions, like cover-ups and intimidation.
Baylor needs to start fresh, which is why Singletary makes sense.
During 2½ seasons as 49ers coach, including an interim tag, Singletary was 18-22, without a playoff berth. That record might present some reservations, but it shouldn’t be a deal-killer, either. 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 Pro Bowl tight end Vernon Davis to the showers because of silly penalties. In a fiery post-game expression, Singletary declared that there were certain types of players he couldn’t win it – 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.
Baylor could use Singletary and his conviction to lay down a new law. I’m thinking his achievements in the NFL, on top of his substance as a man, also would command respect of young players.
“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.
