Former NFL defensive coordinator Don “Wink” Martindale will have an in-person interview in New York on Saturday for the same open position with the Jets, according to multiple reports.
Martindale, 62, spent the past two seasons as the defensive coordinator for Michigan but was one of many staffers not retained when new Wolverines head coach Kyle Whittingham came on board in the wake of Sherrone Moore’s firing.
Martindale accepted the defensive coordinator position at Michigan after parting ways with the New York Giants following the 2023 season. The Giants’ defense under Martindale finished 27th overall in 2023 but tied for first in the league in turnovers created.
Martindale previously served as the defensive coordinator with the Baltimore Ravens from 2018-21 and with the Denver Broncos (2010).
In an interview with AthlonSports anticipating his release from Michigan, Martindale was asked how he handled the “upheaval” surrounding various controversies in the Wolverines program, including sanctions and suspensions incurred for previous sign-stealing and scouting scandals as well as the dramatic firing of Moore for an inappropriate relationship with a staffer and subsequent arrest for home invasion and stalking.
“I don’t know if ‘you handled it,’ is the right word. It’s a tough situation,” Martindale said, before turning his attention to his family. “First of all, I know what we signed up for in coaching, the profession itself: moving. My wife has moved enough.”
“I’m getting emotional talking about it. It’s real life. There’s little ones that have to be uprooted from school and things like that. It (stinks).”
