The emergence of a New person of interest in Michigan football could end DC search.
As Michigan football coach Sherrone Moore continues to shape his staff for the upcoming 2024 season, a notable addition has surfaced in the search process. According to 247Sports’ Matt Zenitz, former New York Giants defensive coordinator Wink Martindale is scheduled to meet with the Wolverines on Thursday to discuss potential opportunities.
Martindale brings extensive experience, having spent nearly a decade as the linebackers coach and defensive coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens under head coach John Harbaugh. It is his notable contributions during his time with the Ravens, including a Super Bowl victory in 2012, that make him an intriguing candidate for Michigan.
Hailing from Dayton, Ohio, Martindale played a key role in elevating the Giants’ defense from 23rd to 18th in the league in 2022. However, the team’s defensive ranking slipped to 27th out of 32 teams in the past season, leading to Martindale’s departure from the Giants after the 2023 campaign.
Reports from CowboysSI.com’s Mike Fisher indicate that the Dallas Cowboys are also expressing interest in Martindale as they seek a seasoned professional to replace outgoing defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, who has taken on the head coaching position with the Commanders.
While Joe Cullen remains a favored candidate for the Wolverines’ defensive coordinator position, with continued interest from insiders, he currently serves as the defensive line coach for the Kansas City Chiefs and is set to appear in Super Bowl LVIII this Sunday.
The individual selected for the defensive coordinator role at Michigan will face the significant task of revitalizing a defense that ranked No. 1 in total production and scoring during the team’s national championship run in 2023. Jesse Minter, the mastermind behind this success, is departing to assume the same role under former Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh, now with the Los Angeles Chargers.
