Matt Hartwell Matt covers all things Michigan football for Maize n Brew and manages the social media channels.
Sherrone Moore’s hunt for Michigan’s new defensive coordinator looks to be over, as various sources indicate the Wolverines plan to
appoint former Giants assistant Don “Wink” Martindale to lead the program’s defensive unit in 2024.
The seasoned defensive coordinator comes from the NFL, where he coached the Giants’ defense for the past two seasons. Martindale
formerly served as the Baltimore Ravens’ linebackers coach for six seasons before taking on this role.
This follows a lengthy search by Sherrone Moore to replace Jesse Minter, who spent the last two years with the Wolverines before
leaving to join Jim Harbaugh’s staff with the Los Angeles Chargers. This previous season, Michigan’s defense was among the best in
the country, leading the FBS with 247 yards allowed and 10.4 points allowed on average on way to a national title.
It’s no secret that a key factor in the Wolverines’ defensive coordinator search was experience with the same sort of defense Michigan
has used in recent years. Martindale is widely acknowledged as the inventor of that idea, with brilliant improvements made by Mike
Macdonald and Minter.
Macdonald, who was recently hired as head coach of the Seattle Seahawks, previously worked as an assistant under Martindale before
taking over Michigan’s defense in 2021. Minter also served on Martindale’s defensive coaching staff in Baltimore for four years.
Wink hasn’t been a defensive coordinator since college, but he does have the necessary expertise. He was the defensive coordinator for
Western Kentucky during Jack Harbaugh’s tenure as head coach from 2000 to 2003.
