Wednesday, February 20, 2002
Singletary could Hawaii defensive line coach Vantz Singletary told the Star-Bulletin yesterday he is "leaning toward" interviewing for the linebackers job at Baylor -- an open position he said he is confident is his if he wants it.
join Baylor staff
The UH defensive line coach will
likely fly to Texas for an interviewBy Dave Reardon
dreardon@starbulletin.comWarriors head coach June Jones was contacted by Baylor head coach Kevin Steele last Wednesday, asking for permission to speak with Singletary about the opening, which Jones granted, Singletary said.
Singletary said he has been mulling interviewing for the job since. Although he had not decided by last night, he said it is likely he will fly to Texas to interview by the end of this week.
"I haven't been offered it just yet, and I've yet to bite on it," Singletary said. "But a lot of things are very intriguing about it. It's three hours from home (Houston), any time you look at the Big 12 that makes it interesting, and it pays six figures."
The Bears went 3-8 (0-8 Big 12) last season, but coaches there are paid well.
Singletary said the Baylor linebackers job pays up to $110,000, which is considerably more than he makes with the Warriors. But, contract renegotiations between Jones and UH -- which are currently at an impasse -- include increases in pay for assistant coaches.
Singletary, 36, played under Steele's brother, Dale, at Kansas State. Singletary's uncle, Mike, is a Baylor legend and NFL Hall of Famer.
"I've been associated with Baylor for a long time. I think I'll listen to what they have to say. And I think it will be, 'Do you want the job?' I believe if I take the flight out there, it's a done deal," Singletary said, but added: "I feel in many ways my job here is only 75 percent done. With spring ball coming up, it's important to show some allegiance and loyalty. June gave me an opportunity when no one else did, and I've been blessed. Sometimes what looks like gold and glitter isn't that great. There's guys at big-time programs that aren't happy."
Singletary, known for his affable manner and Subway commercials, has been the defensive line coach at UH since 1999. Prior, he was the defensive line coach and recruiting coordinator at Southern (1997-'98) and linebackers coach, defensive coordinator and recruiting coordinator at Trinity (1992-'96). He is married to Shawndra (also from the Houston area) and they have four children.
If Singletary does leave UH, former St. Louis School coach Cal Lee would be a prime candidate to replace him. Lee, the most successful high school coach in Hawaii history, stepped down as the Crusaders' coach at the end of last season. He is still the school's athletic director and no coaching replacement has been chosen yet.
Last summer, when Lee said 2001 would be his last season as St. Louis coach, he expressed interest in joining Jones' UH staff, and he had spoken with the Warriors' head coach about the possibility in the past.
Yesterday, Lee said he did not want to comment on the situation until there actually is an opening. Singletary said Lee would be a good fit if he was to leave.
"There's a great chance that could happen," Singletary said. "He'd be perfect."
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