When Michigan brought Don ‘Wink’ Martindale into their fold, the move felt like a monopoly power play—a chess master snagging a king in a game full of pawns. But deep down, everybody knew, he ain’t stay in college football forever. The Wolverines snagged the former New York Giants defensive coordinator after his very, very bad breakup with Brian Daboll. But now, after just 1 season in Ann Arbor, Martindale’s name is buzzing again, and this time, it’s all about a possible NFL return. Teams like the Atlanta Falcons and Indianapolis Colts are knocking, and even the Cincinnati Bengals might want in. So, what’s the cost if Wink takes his genius elsewhere?

Alright, let’s talk about Don first. Wink Martindale’s impact on Michigan’s defense was immediate. With Sherrone Moore at the helm in his 1st year as head coach, the Wolverines ended 2024 on an 8-5 record. But let’s be clear: that defense? It was lights out. Michigan ranked No. 19 in scoring defense and an insane No. 5 in rushing defense. Those final 4 games? They literally bullied No.1 offense in the nation—holding Ohio State to peanuts (10 points) and shutting down Alabama’s so-called high-powered offense in ReliaQuest bowl win. Martindale’s amoeba defense, a scheme he helped refine in his Ravens days, was a masterclass in chaos.

But let’s not sleep on the irony: Wink hadn’t been in college football for over 2 decades before Michigan rang his flip celly. Yet, he brought NFL-esque schemes on the defensive, leveraging his experience to elevate the Wolverines’ defensive game to something even Michigan skeptics and haters had to respect. Now, about that paycheck. Wink is no bargain-bin hire. At $2.3 million annually, he’s literally the highest-paid defensive coordinator in college football. By 2026, that bucks will climb to $2.7 million, making him 1 of the highest-earning coordinators in NCAA history. From perspective, in 2023, the only other coordinators cracking the $2 million mark were Ryan Grubb from Washington and Garrett Riley of Clemson.

Martindale’s lucrative deal reflects his worth, but it also adds layers of intrigue if he bolts. His buyout? A cool $1 million if he leaves before the 2024 season’s final game. That number drops to $350,000 in 2025 and $150,000 by 2026. Ain’t gonna lie, pocket change for NFL franchises, sure, but enough to make you wonder if Michigan’s splurge on Wink paid off in the long term.

Wink Martindale’ saga

Wink’s time in Michigan comes after a messy breakup with Brian Daboll. Their blowout—which ended with Martindale’s “resignation”—was the NFL’s equivalent of a bad reality show breakup. Things got so down ugly that by November 2023. Wink couldn’t resist throwing shade and blade at the Giants during a presser. Michigan offered the perfect reset button, and the man’s took full advantage, silencing the critics with his performance. But as NFL teams start circling, it’s fair to ask: will Martindale stay and build something lasting in Ann Arbor, or is Michigan just a pit stop before he’s back on Sunday’s sidelines?

If Wink jets, Michigan’s defense could face a crazy identity crisis. Martindale’s fingerprints are all over their success. From teaching players NFL-level schemes to executing game plans that dismantled powerhouse offenses, he’s not someone you replace easily. Yet, losing him to the NFL feels inevitable—especially when teams like the Falcons and Colts are rolling out red carpets (Interviewing). Still, Michigan’s $1 million buyout clause is a smart safeguard. For a school that’s seen 2 of its recent defensive coordinators, Mike MacDonald (Seahawks HC) and Jesse Minter (Chargers DC), make leaps to the NFL, this isn’t uncharted territory. The question is: can Michigan’s defense survive another transition?

But with NFL teams knocking on his door, Michigan faces a dilemma. Losing him won’t just hurt the defense—it’ll low-key sting the program’s momentum for 2025, unless someone else steps in, big time. Whether it’s the Falcons, Colts, Bengals, or any other franchise that lands Wink. One thing’s for sure: Michigan’s $1 million buyout may be the cheapest insurance policy they’ve ever written.