Ex-Giants DC Wink Martindale is a Candidate to Run Michigan’s Defense

The Wolverines have run Martindale’s system for the past three seasons.

Michigan is looking for a new defensive coordinator under new coach Sherrone Moore with Jesse Minter accompanying Jim Harbaugh to the Los Angeles Chargers. However, rather than promoting from within, the Wolverines are showing interest in a couple of candidates from the NFL. 

Former New York Giants and Baltimore Ravens DC Don “Wink” Martindale is being considered for Michigan’s opening, according to 247Sports’ Matt Zenitz. The veteran assistant oversaw the Giants’ defense for the past two seasons but reportedly clashed with head coach Brian Daboll and left the staff after the regular season concluded.

Martindale, 60, might appear to be an unusual choice for Michigan since he’s worked the past 20 years in the NFL. He hasn’t coached in college since 2003 at Western Kentucky, where he worked for three years under Jack Harbaugh.

However, the Wolverines’ defense for the last three seasons has been based on the schemes he designed with the Ravens on coach John Harbaugh’s staff. 

Mike Macdonald, now the Seattle Seahawks’ head coach, was an assistant under Martindale before running Michigan’s defense in 2021. Minter, who was Michigan’s DC for the past two seasons, was on the Baltimore staff for four years. 

Michigan is considering another NFL assistant in addition to Martindale, Kansas City Chiefs’ defensive line coach Joe Cullen, who worked for five years on the Ravens’ staff. Martindale is also a candidate for the Dallas Cowboys’ DC opening, according to reports.