BREAKING : Michigan Hire Former New York Giants Defensive Coordinator, takes over from Jesse Minter (in Details)
The University of Michigan has enlisted former New York Giants defensive coordinator Wink Martindale to serve as the Wolverines’ latest defensive coordinator under the newly appointed head coach Sherrone Moore. Martindale takes over from Jesse Minter, who joined former Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh in the NFL with the Los Angeles Chargers.
This marks Martindale’s return to the college football arena since his previous role as a defensive coordinator and inside linebackers coach at Western Kentucky between 2000 and 2003.
Martindale was initially brought on board by the Giants on February 11, 2022. During his debut season, the Giants’ defense excelled, ranking fifth in the league for third-down conversion attempts in the red zone and 12th in goal-to-go conversions. Recognized for his outstanding contributions, Martindale was honored with the 2023 Paul “Dr. Z” Zimmerman Award for his lifetime achievements as an NFL assistant coach.
However, in the previous season, Martindale’s Giants defense dropped to 27th place in the league, sliding down by two positions from the 2022 standings.
The group, which dropped from ninth place in third-down conversion percentage allowed, regressed to 25th in red zone defense and 23rd in goal-to-go situations. In 2023, the Giants’ defense also ranked last in yards differential at -81.7. Martindale, previously considered for the defensive coordinator positions in Jacksonville, Green Bay, and Dallas, and a candidate for the head coaching role with the Colts in 2022, suddenly and officially renewed his contract with the Giants on January 10.
This decision came after a heated verbal disagreement with head coach Brian Daboll. Martindale was succeeded by Shane Bowen, who formerly served as the defensive coordinator for the Tennessee Titans.
