He thought he was done.

Mike Singletary, former NFL Hall of Fame linebacker for the Chicago Bears and head coach for the San Francisco 49ers, worked on developing his skills as a head coach, but could not find a job.

“I made some phone calls trying to get on a team, but no one was showing me any interest,” Singletary says. “I figured I was done coaching, so I was preparing to go in the ministry.”

Singletary’s coaching roots go back to when he was known as “The Heart of the Defense” for the Chicago Bears. He would pick the brains of his coaches, including former Bears defensive coordinator Buddy Ryan and head coach Mike Ditka, asking them how to balance being a coach, father and husband.

“They said it was hard to be all three, so after I retired I went into the business world,” recalls Singletary. “About 10 years later, Kim (Singletary’s wife) knew I wanted to be a coach, so she told me to start coaching.”

Singletary coached the linebackers for the Baltimore Ravens for a year before going to the San Francisco 49ers as the assistant head coach and linebackers coach. In 2008, Singletary became the interim head coach of the 49ers. In 2009, the interim title was removed and he became the head coach.

He went 18-22 over three years with the 49ers, but his efforts were met with criticism due to his lack of head coaching experience and not being able to control his emotions. Singletary himself admitted he “needed more coaching etiquette.” That stigma followed him around, even during his time as assistant head coach for the Minnesota Vikings and a defensive assistant for the Los Angeles Rams.

“I wanted to know what makes a great coach, so I went to work,” says Singletary. “I called many coaches and studied their philosophies. When I felt prepared I called around, but could not find a job.”

Singletary’s next head coaching job came in a form he never expected. Kirk McJunkin, the athletic director for Trinity Christian Academy, a small Christian high school in Addison, Texas, called Singletary and offered him the job of coaching the varsity football team.

“I would have never thought I would coach high school football in Texas, but my wife told me to do it,” Singletary laughs.

Soon after taking the position with Trinity Christian, Singletary found himself with two head coaching jobs.

A group of executives put together a new pro football league called the Alliance of American Football. Singletary had been approached before by football startups, but with the people behind the AAF, he had a feeling this league would stick around.

“Bill Polian (NFL Hall of Fame executive and head of football for the AAF) called me and asked if I’d be interested in a position,” says Singletary. “At the time there was going to be a team in Dallas. When that fell through, he said there might be a team in the future in San Antonio, but they wanted me right away in Memphis. The Bible says ‘a bird in the hand is better than two in the bush.’ I could wait for San Antonio, which may or may not happen or I could go to Memphis. I’m going to Memphis!”

San Antonio was eventually awarded an AAF team coached by Mike Riley.

Details about the AAF are still being decided, even though the league is less than six months away from kickoff. The name of the teams will be revealed in September, and Singletary says the league has submitted details on what they need for their practice facility to different places. All of Memphis’ home games will be played in the Liberty Bowl. Singletary is currently attending AAF combines and camps along with other head coaches and executives to put together the new team.

The opportunity to be part of the Memphis community is another reason he decided to come to the Bluff City.

“I’m excited for the people,” says Singletary. “They have wanted their own pro football team for a while and I’m excited to be a part of this new venture and bring a championship to Memphis.”

Singletary’s message is to always have a great attitude, be courageous and give your best effort. He hopes to instill these values in his new team and make Memphis proud.

What we know about the AAF so far:

• Teams will have 50 players each.
• All teams must attempt a two-point conversion after each touchdown. There are no extra points.
• Possessions will start on each team’s 25-yard line. There will be no kickoffs.
• Instead of an on-side kick, teams can attempt a play from their own 35-yard line and advance at least 10 yards.
• There will be a 30-second play clock.
• There are no television time-outs.

Cities with an AAF team:

• Atlanta
• Birmingham
• Memphis
• Orlando
• Phoenix
• Salt Lake
• San Antonio
• San Diego

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Photo Credits: YouTube