What Coach Singletary Means to the San Francisco 49ers

Coach Singletary is what I will call him.  Not Mike, not Mr. Singletary, not Singletary, but Coach Singletary.  The reason is simple…respect.  I can only imagine what it might be like playing for the man and being a part of the San Francisco 49ers. 

What I am alluding to is what Coach Singletary will bring to the San Francisco organization and most importantly to the players. 

From his bio it can be summarized that he is a man of faith, family and leadership.  However, what is more impressive is how he translates those fundamental aspects of humanity to the game of football. 

A prime example of how he used those qualities was by how he handled Vernon Davis during the second game against the Seattle Seahawks during the 2008 season.  What Coach Singletary has done is no easy task. 

Like a great General once said, “Leadership is the art of getting someone else to do something you want done because he wants to do it.” 

Since that altercation we have seen a dramatic transformation of Vernon Davis but more interesting is that incident was a microcosm of what the team was going through.  Prior to Coach Singletary the 49ers have had a lot of thrust, but no vector.  Now they do have a vision, a clear direction of where they want to take the team. 

The 49ers have been devoid of the leadership and synergy needed to maintain the standard of excellence that is expected from a five time undefeated Super Bowl championship organization. 

Furthermore, it is a daunting task to lead a group of men in the NFL to victory.  That is why the philosophy of Coach Singletary is powerful yet simplistic and will lead the 49ers back to the level where they should be. 

He commands respect, and respects those who he commands.  He has kept the formula for victory simple: Hard work, and dedication.  He has created a family atmosphere: One team, one goal. 

But most importantly, he has faith, faith in his players and that is an intangible that can only be expressed through looking into those eyes that have seen the battlefield before, and in doing so every player knows…"I have gotta do it."…"I've gotta give it my all."…"I can do better."…"I will."

This is a new team, in a new era and the stakes are higher than ever.  Coach Singletary has been entrusted to produce and given what I have seen thus far; I have no doubt he will for many years to come.