Mike Singletary was elevated as the 49ers head coach on October 20, 2008, following the dismissal of Mike Nolan.

Singletary is in his fourth year with the 49ers, entering the 2008 season initially as the assistant head coach/defense. Singletary was elevated to the post after serving one season as the assistant head coach/linebackers, a position he was named to on January 21, 2005.

A proven teacher who values work ethic and discipline, the 49ers linebackers played well this past season under Singletary's direction. LB Patrick Willis, the AP Defensive Rookie of the Year, set an unofficial NFL record for tackles with 226, and became the first 49ers rookie defender to earn Pro Bowl honors since Ronnie Lott in 1981.

Singletary teamed with 49ers Head Coach Mike Nolan as the Baltimore Ravens inside linebackers coach for two seasons. Players have flourished under his tutelage, including Ray Lewis, who earned 2003 NFL Defensive Player of the Year honors. Under Singletary, the inside linebackers at Baltimore finished first and second in tackles in each of his seasons coaching the position. He was also part of a coaching staff that directed the Ravens defense to a third overall finish in 2003 and sixth overall in 2004.

After coaching under Nolan's defensive staff for just two seasons, Singletary's wisdom and commanding respect sent impressionable waves throughout the organization and team. When Nolan took the head coaching position in San Francisco, Singletary was his first coaching hire, and set the tone for the type of team he would be building.

"Mike is one of the best leaders and teachers that I have ever been associated with," Nolan said. "Mike teaches with great passion and great energy; two things that are very important, I think, to being a successful teacher. There are not too many people that command the respect that Mike does the minute he walks into a room.

"In Baltimore, Mike coached possibly the best linebacking corps in the NFL in Ray Lewis, Eddie Hartwell, Terrell Suggs and Peter Boulware. As a player, there are probably way too many things to list on Mike, but two things that stand out to me are his very successful 12-year NFL career and in 1998, his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame."

In 2001, Singletary won the Walter Camp's "Man of the Year Award," based on his reputation for integrity and leadership within his profession and contributions benefiting his community, country and fellow man. He also co-founded Leadership Zone, a company that provides leadership training.

Singletary was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1998 after a stellar career with the Chicago Bears from 1981-92. He boasted 1,488 career tackles (885 solo), finishing as the Bears' first or second leading tackler each of his last 11 seasons. Singletary was named to the NFL Team of the 80's after being selected to play in a team-record 10 consecutive Pro Bowls. The former Bears defensive captain was also named All-Pro eight times (1983-89; 1991), and an All-NFC selection nine consecutive times (1983-91). He also started a defensive team record 172 games for the Bears, trailing only running back Walter Payton’s 184 career starts for the all-time team lead.

Singletary was drafted in second round of the 1981 NFL Draft from Baylor University.

In addition to his coaching duties for the 49ers, Singletary is a motivational speaker and has authored three books: Singletary One on One, Calling the Shots and Daddy's Home at Last. Singletary and his wife, Kim, have seven children.