Wink Martindale won’t have the chance to blitz Brian Daboll’s offense in 2024.
Martindale, the former Giants defensive coordinator who had a messy split with the organization and Daboll specifically this offseason, will become the University of Michigan’s defensive coordinator, according to ESPN.
The deal is not finalized but no hiccups are expected.
Martindale heads to the college ranks after no NFL team picked him up following his exit from the Giants.
The 60-year-old lasted just two seasons with the Giants, helping them return to the playoffs in the 2022-23 season before this year’s miserable 6-11 campaign.
While the Giants’ defense had some strong performances during the season, particularly down the stretch, the unit also had some early games where it couldn’t get a stop.
The Giants ranked 27th in yards allowed per game and 26th in points allowed per game, but they tied for the league-high with 19 turnovers.
Martindale and Daboll’s personalities clashed at times during this turbulent season, and the Giants are now turning to former Titans defensive coordinator Shane Bowen.
Prior to Martindale’s time with the Giants, he served as the Ravens’ defensive coordinator from 2018-21 and coached in the organization since 2012.
Martindale is now tasked with helping Michigan in its attempt to defend its national title, while working alongside new head coach Sherrone Moore.
This marks Martindale’s first time coaching collegiately since he served as Western Kentucky’s defensive coordinator from 2000-03.
He also has coached for Notre Dame, Cincinnati and Western Illinois.
Martindale is replacing former defensive coordinator Jesse Minter, who left Michigan to follow former Wolverines coach Jim Harbaugh to the Chargers, for whom he will serve in that same role.
ESPN noted that each of Michigan’s last two defensive coordinators in Minter and new Seahawks head coach Mike Macsonald ran defensive schemes akin to Martinale’s blitz-heavy packages.