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Wink Martindale Atlanta Falcons: Michigan DC reportedly interviewing
The Detroit Lions’ coordinators aren’t the only ones in this state getting NFL interviews.
Wink Martindale, Michigan football’s defensive coordinator, is now scheduled to interview with the Atlanta Falcons on Tuesday and the Indianapolis Colts on Wednesday about vacancies for the same position, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
NFL on CBS’ Jonathan Jones also reported Martindale with interview with the Falcons.
Martindale did not immediately respond to a text looking for comment Tuesday afternoon.
Martindale, 61, took over as U-M’s defensive coordinator prior to the 2024 season when former DC Jesse Minter left alongside ex-head coach Jim Harbaugh to take over the Los Angeles Chargers and though things started slowly, they finished with a bang.
The man with more than two decades of NFL experience − from the Oakland Raiders (2004-08) and Denver Broncos (2009-10) to the Baltimore Ravens (2012-21) and New York Giants (2022-23) − came back to Ann Arbor to take over the No. 1 defense in the nation, but immediately lost the man he called his “Eric Weddle” when Rod Moore suffered a torn ACL during spring practice.
That, combined with a difficult schedule and first year coaches along the defensive line (Lou Esposito), linebackers (Brian Jean-Mary) and in the secondary (Lamar Morgan), not to mention the head coach (Sherrone Moore) and the immediate learning curve proved to be a bit too much.
After never allowing more than 24 points in a game last season, U-M surrendered 24 points or more in four of its first six games and though it escaped with a pair of fortunate victories − back-to-back three-point wins over USC and Minnesota − the team was floundering as it went 4-2 into the bye week.
MORE MICHIGAN FOOTBALL NEWS:Michigan football reportedly to add WR via transfer portal
Michigan lost three of its next four to fall to 5-5, but that’s when the defense came alive.
It started when Michigan held a potent Indiana attack to 20 points, then confidence grew with a 50-6 win over Northwestern. But the crowning moment of the season was when Martindale brought his unit − led by defensive linemen Mason Graham, Kenneth Grant and Josaiah Stewart − into Columbus and as three-touchdown underdogs, shocked the college football world with a 13-10 victory.
It was a defensive masterpiece for the ages, considering Michigan won a game where it didn’t have its best offensive player (Colston Loveland) a projected top-10 defensive draft pick (Will Johnson) and U-M’s offensive passing stat line read as follows: 9 of 16 for 62 yards and two interceptions.
Martindale’s unit shutdown a Buckeyes team now playing for a national championship, then decided to cap it off with a 19-13 hammering of Alabama. Again, Martindale’s group suffered one of the better offenses in the country and this time did so with its top four players sitting out for the NFL draft.
In the end, U-M’s finished No. 11 in total defense (308.4 yards per game) and No. 19 in scoring defense (19.9 points per game) despite playing four of the 12 teams in the College Football Playoff.
According to Martindale’s contract, should he leave for the NFL, he would need to pay U-M $350,000 as a buyout. Martindale signed a three-year contract on Feb. 14, 2024 which had him scheduled to make $2.3 million base salary in 2024, $2.5 million in 2025 and $2.7 million in 2026.
Despite losing a host of picks to the NFL draft (with Moore still to make up his mind), U-M felt it took momentum into the offseason on that side of the ball with Martindale at the helm. Now, it will see just how much pull the NFL still has.
The report also indicates the Cincinnati Bengals have interest in meeting with Martindale.
Tony Garcia is the Michigan Wolverines beat writer for the Detroit Free Press. Email him at apgarcia@freepress.com and follow him on X at @RealTonyGarcia.
Wink Martindale Atlanta Falcons: Michigan DC reportedly interviewing
According to reports, Wink Martindale, the current defensive coordinator for the University of Michigan, is set to interview for the Atlanta Falcons’ head coaching position. Martindale has been with the Wolverines since 2021, helping lead the team to a successful season.
Martindale’s aggressive defensive style and ability to motivate players have been key factors in his success at Michigan. He has previous NFL coaching experience, having served as the defensive coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens from 2018 to 2020.
If Martindale were to be hired by the Falcons, it would mark a significant change for the team, as they look to rebuild and improve after a disappointing season. Fans are hopeful that Martindale’s leadership and defensive expertise could help turn the Falcons into a winning team once again.
Stay tuned for more updates on Wink Martindale’s potential move to the Atlanta Falcons as their new head coach.
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Wink Martindale, Atlanta Falcons, Michigan DC, interviewing, NFL, sports news, coaching rumors
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