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Don Martindale

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Don Martindale
refer to caption
Martindale with Michigan in 2024
Michigan Wolverines
Position:Defensive coordinator
Personal information
Born: (1963-05-19) May 19, 1963 (age 61)
Dayton, Ohio, U.S.
Career information
High school:Trotwood-Madison (OH)
College:Defiance College
Career history
As a coach:
Career highlights and awards
  • Super Bowl champion (XLVII)
  • PFWA Paul “Dr.Z” Zimmerman Award (NFL – 2023)
Record at Pro Football Reference

Don "Wink" Martindale[1] (born May 19, 1963) is an American football coach. He is the defensive coordinator for the University of Michigan, a position he has held since 2024. He previously served as the defensive coordinator for the New York Giants and Baltimore Ravens from 2018 to 2023.[2]

Early years

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Don Martindale was born on May 19, 1963, in Dayton, Ohio. Martindale attended Trotwood-Madison High School where he played linebacker for the Trotwood-Madison Rams and was an All-State selection his senior year.[3]

He is an alumnus of Defiance College, where he played on the football team. He got his nickname during his freshman year, when one of his teammates called him "Wink" after the longtime TV game show host, Wink Martindale.[4]

Right after college, Martindale took a job with his family's trucking company, hauling brake parts every day from Dayton, Ohio, to Detroit. It was a grueling six hour drive round-trip and he hated it, so he quit after a year to pursue his passion for coaching football.[5]

Coaching career

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College

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Martindale started his coaching career in the late 1980s at his alma mater, Defiance College, as an assistant for the Yellow Jackets.[6] In 1994 and 1995, he was a defensive assistant at Notre Dame for teams that went to the Fiesta Bowl and Orange Bowl. He went on to coach for three years at the University of Cincinnati, and then spent a year coaching for Western Illinois University. He then spent a year as an assistant coach at Archbishop Alter High School in Kettering, Ohio. Martindale's first stint in college football ended after he coached for three seasons at Western Kentucky University under head coach Jack Harbaugh.

Oakland Raiders

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From 2004 to 2008, he was the linebackers coach for the Oakland Raiders. In January 2009, he was under consideration to be their defensive coordinator, while there was talk that owner Al Davis considered Martindale for head coach.[7] (The last coach promoted from linebackers coach to head coach by Davis was Super Bowl XI-winning coach John Madden.)

Denver Broncos

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In January 2009, Martindale was hired by his prior team's division rival, the Denver Broncos, as their linebackers coach.[8] In January 2010, he was promoted to defensive coordinator.[9]

Baltimore Ravens

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On February 2, 2012, the Ravens signed Martindale as linebackers coach.[3] Don had worked under Ravens' head coach John Harbaugh's father, Jack, when he was defensive coordinator at Western Kentucky.

Martindale was part of the Ravens' coaching staff that won Super Bowl XLVII.[10] In January 2018, he was promoted to defensive coordinator.[11] On January 21, 2022, Martindale and the Ravens parted ways.[12]

New York Giants

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On February 11, 2022, Martindale was hired by the New York Giants to be their defensive coordinator.[13] In his first season, the Giants improved from having the 23rd ranked defense in 2021,[14] to the 18th ranked defense in 2022.[15]

On May 22, 2023, Martindale was honored with the 2023 Paul "Dr. Z" Zimmerman Award, which is presented for lifetime achievement as an NFL assistant coach.[16] In the 2023 season, the team finished 6–11, while their defense fell to 27th in the league.[17] Despite their struggles, the Giants were the 9th-ranked third down defense.[17]

On January 10, 2024, the Giants and Martindale mutually agreed to part ways.[18]

Michigan

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On February 9, 2024, Martindale was named defensive coordinator at the University of Michigan.[19] This marked his return to college football after 21 years with the NFL.

Personal life

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Martindale and his wife, Laura, have two children.[20]

References

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  1. ^ Wink gets the Call – Martindale to lead Broncos defense
  2. ^ Martindale replaces Nolan in Denver
  3. ^ a b "DON MARTINDALE" (PDF). ravenspr.com. Baltimore Ravens. Retrieved December 7, 2019.
  4. ^ "Five Things to Know About Don 'Wink' Martindale".
  5. ^ Hensley, Jamison (December 5, 2018). "An ex-truck driver, Wink Martindale steers NFL's No. 1 defense". ESPN. Retrieved December 7, 2019.
  6. ^ "Former Defiance College Product Set to Coach in Super Bowl". defianceathletics.com. Defiance College. February 2013. Retrieved December 7, 2019.
  7. ^ Smith, Michael (January 19, 2009). "Sources: Raiders consider Martindale". espn.con. ESPN. Retrieved December 7, 2019.
  8. ^ Post, Special to The Denver Post | Special to The Denver (January 20, 2009). "Defensive staff has roots in AFC West rivals". The Denver Post. Retrieved February 10, 2024.
  9. ^ "Denver Broncos promote Martindale to defensive coordinator". Boulder Daily Camera. January 29, 2010. Retrieved February 10, 2024.
  10. ^ "Super Bowl XLVII – San Francisco 49ers vs. Baltimore Ravens – February 3rd, 2013". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved November 8, 2017.
  11. ^ Mink, Ryan (January 9, 2018). "Ravens Hire Don 'Wink' Martindale as Next Defensive Coordinator". Baltimore Ravens. Retrieved February 20, 2023.
  12. ^ Scott, Jelani (January 21, 2022). "Ravens part ways with DC Don 'Wink' Martindale". NFL.com. Retrieved January 21, 2022.
  13. ^ "Mike Kafka, Don Martindale, Thomas McGaughey named Giants coordinators". Giants.com.
  14. ^ "2021 NFL Opposition & Defensive Statistics". pro-football-reference.com. Sports-Reference, LLC.
  15. ^ "2022 NFL Opposition & Defensive Statistics". pro-football-reference.com. Sports-Reference, LLC. Retrieved May 23, 2023.
  16. ^ Eisen, Michael. "Giants Now: Wink Martindale honored with lifetime achievement award". giants.com. New York Giants. Retrieved May 23, 2023.
  17. ^ a b "2023 NFL Defense Rankings: Team Pass and Rush Stats". Fox Sports. Retrieved January 12, 2024.
  18. ^ Shook, Nick (January 10, 2024). "Giants, defensive coordinator Wink Martindale mutually agree to part ways after two seasons". NFL.com. Retrieved January 12, 2024.
  19. ^ Baca, Michael (February 9, 2024). "Former Ravens, Giants defensive coordinator Wink Martindale being hired as Michigan DC". NFL.com. Retrieved February 9, 2024.
  20. ^ "Don Martindale Bio". baltimoreravens.com. Baltimore Ravens. Retrieved December 7, 2019.
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