Michigan’s New Coach Sherrone Moore Appoints Wink Martindale as DC
Michigan football has made a bold move by appointing Don “Wink” Martindale as the Wolverines’ new defensive coordinator. Martindale, known for his aggressive and blitz-heavy style, was one of the architects of the highly successful Baltimore Ravens scheme. ESPN was the first to report the news.
Martindale has an impressive coaching background, having worked on John Harbaugh’s Ravens staff from 2012 to 2021. During his tenure, he spent the final four years as the team’s defensive coordinator. Martindale’s coaching tree has produced successful defensive coordinators in Mike Macdonald and Jesse Minter, both of whom had stints at Michigan before returning to the NFL.
However, Martindale’s time with the Ravens came to an end in 2022 to make way for Macdonald’s return to Baltimore. He then joined the New York Giants as their defensive coordinator for the past two seasons before an acrimonious departure last month. Although Martindale wasn’t able to replicate the same success he had with the Ravens, he still brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the table.
The hiring of Martindale is a significant move for Michigan coach Sherrone Moore, who was promoted from his role as offensive coordinator after Jim Harbaugh left to coach the Los Angeles Chargers. Moore now faces the challenge of filling the void left by Minter, who joined Harbaugh as the Chargers’ defensive coordinator.
With multiple openings on the defensive staff, Michigan will be looking for new coaches to join Martindale. Former Ravens assistants Drew Wilkins and Kevin Wilkins, who have worked closely with Martindale in Baltimore and New York, could be potential candidates to join him at Michigan.
One major question surrounding Martindale’s appointment is how he will adapt to the college game. At 60 years old, Martindale’s last coaching experience in college football was two decades ago as the defensive coordinator for Jack Harbaugh at Western Kentucky. However, Moore believes that Martindale’s experience and commanding presence will be valuable assets for Michigan’s defense.
Martindale’s arrival at Michigan comes at a time when many college coaches are seeking the stability of the NFL due to the demands of NIL, the transfer portal, and a hectic recruiting calendar. The transition from the NFL to college football will be an adjustment for Martindale, but his coaching acumen and experience will be invaluable to a staff that includes several young coaches.
Moore took a big swing by hiring Martindale, and the results of this bold move will set the tone for his tenure as Michigan’s head coach. The Wolverines will be eagerly awaiting the impact that Martindale’s aggressive approach to the Ravens scheme will have on their defense. Only time will tell if Martindale can replicate the success that Michigan enjoyed under Macdonald and Minter in recent years.
As Michigan prepares for the upcoming season, the appointment of Martindale brings a fresh perspective and adds excitement to the team. With his extensive coaching background and aggressive style, Martindale is poised to make an impact on the Wolverines’ defense and help lead them to success in the future.