Singletary To “Move On” From Vikings
By Adam Carlson
Aug 16, 2013; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Minnesota Vikings assistant head coach Mike Singletary on the sideline during the game against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Bills beat the Vikings 20-16. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
The Vikings just hired their new head coach and now they will already have to be looking for a new linebackers coach. Mike Singletary’s three year deal is up at the end of the month. He told the Pioneer Press that he had decided last year that this season would be his last with the Minnesota Vikings.
Even if Singletary hadn’t made the decision to leave, new head coach Mike Zimmer would have to approve of him staying on with the team. According to Singletary, that is not something that was discussed when the two met.
"May 3, 2012; Eden Prairie, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings assistant head coach and linebackers coach Mike Singletary teaches players in drills at the Minnesota Vikings Rookie Minicamp at Winter Park. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports“I will be moving forward,” Singletary said. “I knew that this would be my last year as things were as linebackers coach. It’s time to move on. I just felt I had grown as much as I could here. It’s time to move on in a different role, and I can just continue climbing steps again to get to the next level. I want to be a head coach again or hopefully a coordinator.”"
Singletary may have to wait on those head coaching dreams. Most of the vacancies of that type in the NFL have already been filled. Although some teams are still looking for coordinators, he may have his best luck looking for a vacancy at the college level.
In the meantime, he had nothing but praise and well wishes for the new head coach.
"“I congratulated him,” Singletary said. “I think he’s done a great job, and he’s been a good coach for a long time. And hopefully that continues.”"
It will be up to Zimmer if any of Frazier’s former assistants and coordinators will be retained. Singletary stated that he has “no idea” if any of the current staff will be kept.