Singletary Puts Own Slant On Coaching Staff

When Mike Singletary was named the head coach midway through the 2008 season, he started immediately making the San Francisco 49ers his own team.

In his first game as the head coach , he kicked tight-end Vernon Davis off the field and replaced year-long starting quarterback J.T O’Sullivan with backup Shaun Hill.

Make no mistake, Singletary was now in charge.

After joining San Francisco in 2005, Singletary has made a quick progression up the ladder with the organization. After serving as the linebackers coach for the Baltimore Ravens for two season, Singletary was hired by head coach Mike Nolan. Ironically, Singletary replaced Nolan as head coach.

Singletary’s rapid rise was indicative of the kind of player he was for the Chicago Bears. The no-nonsense linebacker was made famous by his determined look as he peered through his helmet. He brought the same intensity to San Francisco.

He was named  assistant head coach when he was hired, as well being a linebacker and defensive coach. Just four years after joining the 49ers staff, he is now the man in charge.

As he prepared for his first full season as the 49ers head coach during the off season, the former Hall of Fame linebacker had an even tougher chore ahead. He had to settle on the coaching staff that would embark with him on his new journey.

The first task the team took was to fire offensive coordinator Mike Martz after only one season. Replacing Martz was probably the most important choice Singletary would have to make in the off-season.

In what has been a revolving door of coordinators over the past five years, Singletary wanted to make a choice that would reflect his personality and stick around for more than one season, unlike his last five predecessors.

The choice was 63-year-old Jimmy Raye, who was the running backs coach for the New York Jets for the past three seasons. Raye’s last stint as a offensive coordinator was in 2005 under coach Norv Turner of the Oakland Raiders. Raye brings 30 years of NFL coaching experience to the 49ers and will be forever linked with Singletary as his first hire as head coach.

Greg Manusky will be entering his third season as defensive coordinator.  The former NFL linebacker was hired by Mike Nolan in 2007 after serving as linebackers coach for the San Diego Chargers from 2002-2006.

He worked closely with Singletary over the past two years and is credited in helping turn the 49ers defense around as last season progressed.

Another key hire, was the decision to bring back former San Francisco fullback Tom Rathman. Rathman played for San Francisco for eight seasons and after retiring, was hired as the running backs coach for the 49ers from 1997-2002.

During that time, he helped running back Garrison Hearst earn a Pro Bowl selection as well as coaching Charlie Garner to two straight 1,000 yard seasons. From there, Rathman went on to coach at Detroit from 2003-2005 and then on the Oakland from 2006 until this year.

With Singletary focusing on the defense, Rathman can play a big part in working with Frank Gore, who many already consider one of the best running backs in the game.