MOBILE, Ala. — One kelly green sweatshirt stood out amid a sea of red and white jerseys on Wednesday at the Senior Bowl. Whether he was offering tips to the running backs or going over plays with the quarterbacks, the man in the hoodie was everywhere at Hancock Whitney Stadium.
It’s safe to say Philadelphia Eagles running backs coach Jemal Singleton is making the most of his time at the Senior Bowl.
While 100-plus of the top prospects in the 2026 draft are looking to make an impression on NFL evaluators, Singleton is taking advantage of a similar opportunity in Mobile, Ala.
Singleton is serving as the National team’s offensive coordinator. Singleton, who has never called plays before in his 25-year coaching career, is one of two Eagles assistants on the staff. Defensive line coach Clint Hurtt is the National team’s head coach.
This is the fourth year for the Senior Bowl’s “Coach Up” format, placing NFL assistant coaches in elevated roles for the week of practice and Saturday’s showcase game. It’s a chance for those assistants to show off their skills as coaches — and Singleton is running with it.
“It’s really cool. This is a more unique situation than you’d normally get,” Singleton told PennLive. “Found out about two weeks ago we’d get the chance to do this. Now I have a coaching staff that I’ve never worked with, never known, never met. So it’s been kind of fun to build our own playbook, have our own language. We’re doing our own thing. … And I’m able to do a little bit of leadership there, too, with the staff. So it’s really neat.”
Singleton is building on his reputation as one of the most well-respected assistants not only at the NovaCare Complex but in the NFL.
The 50-year-old has been with the Eagles since the 2021 season, joining Nick Sirianni’s first staff. Last year, he became a Super Bowl champion and mentored Saquon Barkley to a record-breaking 2,000-yard season.
Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley, left, runs a drill against running backs coach Jemal Singleton, right, stretches during practice at NFL football training camp, Wednesday, July 24, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)AP
Prior to joining Sirianni and the Eagles, Singleton’s resume includes working with multiple teams in the NFL (Bengals, Raiders, Colts) and college (Arkansas, Oklahoma State, Air Force).
At every stop, Singleton has coached running backs. But he’s never had the responsibility of managing an offensive staff and implementing a system. Never mind the fact that all of this had to come together in a matter of days in Mobile.
“We’ve got coaches who have never met, players that have never played with each other, and now we’re all together,” Singleton said. “The fact that we can line up and take a snap is cool.”
And the fact that Singleton is making it all work? His players think it’s pretty impressive.
“His energy has been great,” Baylor quarterback Sawyer Robertson said. “I can imagine it’s not an easy week to prepare for by any means as the offensive coordinator. But the way he’s approaching it has been great. His energy, we’re feeding off that in practice.”
North Dakota State quarterback Cole Payton added: “I love his intensity.”
Penn State running back Kaytron Allen also said he has appreciated how “energetic” Singleton is and the chance to “talk ball” with him.
Allen and Nick Singleton, a pair of record-setting Penn State rushers, have a relationship with Barkley. Now, they have a relationship with his position coach.
“I sought those guys out when we got here on the first day,” Jemal Singleton said. “We’ve got a great connection to Penn State with Saquon. It’s great to have those two guys here, working and grinding. Always love to work with some Penn State guys.”
But it’s fair to wonder how long Singleton will continue to work with Barkley and the Eagles.
Singleton has garnered interest as an offensive coordinator in the past. When Kellen Moore left to take the Saints’ head coaching job last offseason, Singleton was reportedly interviewed to be New Orleans’ OC. Sirianni and Co. were able to retain Singleton then.
But this week at the Senior Bowl could open up new opportunities for Singleton across the league.
“You always want to progress and get better. A coordinator position is the next step, then a head coaching position, whatever works,” Singleton said before cracking a smile. “But I’m having a lot of fun coaching the running backs in Philly.”