A fun article from the SFChronicle from a couple years ago

by dagger108 on Jun 3, 2011 9:57 PM CDT

(Mike) Singletary hires nephew as linebacker coach

49ers' coach hires his nephew, Vantz, 42 - longtime college coach
January 14, 2009|By John Crumpacker, Chronicle Staff Writer

http://articles.sfgate.com/2009-01-14/sports/17197708_1_49ers-mike-nolan-nfl-s-defensive-rookie

Although he is a nephew of the head coach, Vantz Singletary was more like a little brother to Mike Singletary growing up in the same house in Houston, as they were separated by only eight years.

"It's a unique relationship," Vantz Singletary said Tuesday, a day after the 49ers' head coach hired him to coach the team's inside linebackers.

"He was a guy who used to grab me by the ears and get my heart right. When he left (for college at Baylor), I hated to see him go. I broke down and cried because I loved him so much but I didn't know how to say it. When my brother asked what was wrong, I said, 'Uncle Mike punched me in the stomach.' "

To those who would suggest the hire is grounded in nepotism and not much else, Vantz Singletary points out that he has been a college assistant coach for 17 years, has coached players who went to the NFL (including two 49ers, defensive lineman Isaac Sopoaga and linebacker Jeff Ulbrich) and in furtherance of his craft, he took part in eight NFL fellowships for minority coaches (a legacy of the late Bill Walsh).

"I knew sometime down the road it would pay off for me," he said. "I wanted to get to know the professional game. It was important I did those internships."

Vantz Singletary said his first fellowship was with Tony Dungy at Tampa Bay in 1996 and his last with former coach Mike Nolan and the 49ers in 2005, when Mike Singletary joined the staff.

"It really helped me and shaped me," he said. "When the opportunity presented itself, I would be ready."

The opportunity took shape toward the end of November when the 49ers played the Bills in Buffalo and nephew and uncle had a chance to spend time together. Vantz Singletary was an assistant coach at the University of Buffalo for the 2008 season.

"That was part of it," Vantz said. "We had a chance to talk about scheme, technique, philosophy. That's something we've been doing for a lifetime. He and I are on the same page with that (inside linebacker) position."

With the 49ers, Vantz Singletary will work with a player his uncle mentored as a rookie in 2007. Worked out pretty well, as Patrick Willis became the NFL's Defensive Rookie of the Year and a Pro Bowl player.

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Here's another from even a few more years ago when Vantz join Turner @ UB

http://www.ubathletics.buffalo.edu/football/news/ftb01-17-2008-singletary.shtml

It even has a picture, and unfortunately Vantz has more of a Singletary squint than stare.

Oh well, maybe he’ll workout anyway.

by dagger108 on Jun 3, 2011 10:05 PM CDT reply actions

And here he is as a young pup

http://www.classmates.com/directory/public/memberprofile/list.htm?regId=8708783113

by dagger108 on Jun 3, 2011 10:38 PM CDT reply actions

Wow, This one really gives insight!

http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2001/Nov/01/hf/hf06a.html

by dagger108 on Jun 3, 2011 11:00 PM CDT reply actions

And a UH reference (http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2004/Apr/04/sp/sp45aferd.html)

Posted on: Sunday, April 4, 2004

Singletary springs into rebuilding

By Ferd Lewis

Yes, Vantz Singletary has come to understand that the “vacation” is now over. He knows he will have to return to “working” for a paycheck again and has been reminded there will be no coaching on “cruise control.”

Take your best shot. Singletary, the University of Hawai’i defensive line coach, has already had his skin thickened and competitive appetite whetted by three months of ribbing from fellow coaches and friends.

“Believe me, I’ve gotten a lot of it,” Singletary said. “Coaches like to mess with each other a little.”

Singletary has been amply reminded just how much work has been cut out for him when spring practice begins Tuesday. Not only his entire starting defensive line — Houston Ala, Travis LaBoy, Lance Samuseva and Isa’ako Sopoaga — but two prime backups, Keali’i Aguiar and Kevin Jackson, finished their eligibility with the conclusion of the 2003 season.

The bountiful blessings of the past three seasons have been replaced by the biggest challenge of his six years at UH. With six of his top eight players gone — two of them all-Western Athletic Conference performers — Tuesday begins a reconstruction project the breadth and depth of which have rarely been seen at the position.

Singletary is not alone among UH defensive coaches this year, of course, just the hardest hit. Overall the defense must replace nine of 11 starters, including four all-conference players, with linebacker Ikaika Curnan and cornerback Abraham Elimimian the only two consensus starters returning.
But a defensive line that had its best conference ranking against the rush since the 1992 Holiday Bowl team, and most quarterback sacks since the 1989 Aloha Bowl squad, must find replacements for players who started a combined 110 games in the trenches over the past four seasons.

Even if the cupboard isn’t completely empty with the return of Abu Ma’afala, Melila Purcell III and the possibility, pending an NCAA decision on a medical hardship petition, of Lui Fuga, there is plenty to be done in the 15 allowable practices of spring.

So, why is this man smiling?

Although some might wonder if he isn’t whistling through the graveyard, Singletary maintains, “I’m looking forward to it … really. I’m excited about working with the guys we have coming back and the new guys and getting back to basics again.”

His inspiration, Singletary says, comes from his neighbor on Lowrey Avenue in Manoa and occasional jogging partner, offensive line coach Mike Cavanaugh. Cavanaugh has supervised a couple overhauls after losing players to the NFL, each time successfully rebuilding his unit. “I’ve been talking to him, trying to learn everything I can from him,” Singletary said.

“But I haven’t had a chance to run with him for a while.”

For as Singletary says, “vacation” is over and it is time to roll up his sleeves.

by dagger108 on Jun 3, 2011 11:13 PM CDT reply actions