He got his chance to try to convince the San Diego Chargers on Wednesday, less than 48 hours after they fired Marty Schottenheimer.

"There's no doubt in my mind," Singletary said after emerging from his interview. "Absolutely."

Singletary, the San Francisco 49ers' assistant head coach, was the first candidate to meet with team executives.

Schottenheimer was fired on Monday by Chargers president Dean Spanos, who said there was a "dysfunctional situation" between the coach and general manager A.J. Smith. San Diego was an NFL-best 14-2 last season before falling apart in its playoff opener, a 24-21 loss to New England.

Singletary was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1998. He began his coaching career in 2003 as the inside linebackers coach of the Baltimore Ravens.

The former Chicago Bears great said he's heard the talk about his relative lack of coaching experience.

"If I hadn't played the game, if I hadn't been around the game as long as I've been around it and if I hadn't coached it for the time that I've coached it in the role that I've been in, I think I might agree with that," he said. "My question is always, 'Do you want experience or do you want results? I think that's what I'm all about."

Singletary also interviewed for the head coaching jobs with Atlanta and Dallas. The Cowboys' job went to Wade Phillips, who had been the Chargers' defensive coordinator. Singletary interviewed last year for the Detroit Lions' job.