Mike Singletary was named linebackers/assistant head coach of the San Francisco 49ers yesterday, a move insiders say should help him move closer to a head coaching job.
Singletary is expected to have more responsibilities with the 49ers than with the Ravens, with whom he'd been linebackers coach the past two seasons.
The 49ers hired former Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Nolan earlier this week, and Nolan made hiring Singletary one of his first priorities.
San Francisco asked the Ravens for permission to speak with Singletary the day Nolan was hired, and the Ravens granted the request, citing the opportunity for Singletary.
Singletary traveled to San Francisco on Thursday and was the first coach added to Nolan's staff a day later.
"The biggest reason I'm here is because Mike knows exactly what it takes to win," Singletary said. "I'm excited about that, the coaching staff will be excited about that, the team will be excited about that, and the city should be excited about it."
Ravens outside linebackers coach Jeff FitzGerald may be promoted to run the entire unit.
Singletary is the fourth coach to leave Brian Billick's staff. Offensive line coach Jim Colletto and offensive coordinator Matt Cavanaugh were let go.