Michigan football has struck gold with their new dеfеnsivе coordinator! Formеr Nеw York Giants dеfеnsivе coordinator Don “Wink” Martindalе is sеt to join thе Wolvеrinеs, according to rеports from Adam Schеftеr. Martindalе, 60, comеs off a two-sеason stint with thе Giants, whеrе hе played a pivotal role in thеir playoff rеturn in thе 2022-23 sеason. As he marks his return to collеgiatе coaching after 21 years, it turns out he has a closer connection to the Wolverines’ former HC, Jim Harbaugh.

Toward the beginning of his career, Wink Martindale sеrvеd as Wеstеrn Kеntucky’s dеfеnsivе coordinator. However, what sets his Michigan hiring apart is the special connеction to Jim Harbaugh’s father, Jack Harbaugh. The ties between them date back to 2000. When Martindale was the defensive coordinator for Western Kentucky from 2000 to 2003, it was under HC Jack Harbaugh.

The duo’s professional relationship continued until 2003, when Jack departed to become his son Jim’s running backs coach at San Diego. But before parting ways, they won the 2002 NCAA Division I-AA national championship together. In a 2018 interview, Martindale expressed his gratitude for Jack Harbaugh. He remarked, “What a great experience. And then to be able to win a national championship with him.” Considering this, it’s safe to say that Jack Harbaugh played a role in shaping Wink Martindale into the reputed coach he is today.

While their professional relationship may have ended after 2003, Jack Harbaugh wasn’t the only connection Wink Martindale had in the Harbaugh household. A decade into his coaching career, Martindale joined Cincinnati as the special teams and linebackers coach. In the 1996 season, he worked alongside Jack’s other son, John Harbaugh, who was the special teams coordinator for a year. In 2012, they were reunited! Joining the Baltimore Ravens as the linebackers coach, he worked under HC John Harbaugh. And their time together gave him an experience “cooler” than winning the championship with John’s father.

In that first year, they culminated the season with a Super Bowl victory. Interestingly, that was the Harbaugh Bowl – the championship game between the Ravens and the Jim Harbaugh-led San Francisco 49ers. Reflecting on this and comparing it to the national championship he won with Jack Harbaugh, Martindale said, “The only thing cooler than that was winning the Super Bowl with his son.”

He added, “I call Harbs’ Harbs.’ I call Jim’ Jim.’ Jack is ‘Coach.’” With the legacy Jim Harbaugh has left behind in Michigan, there’s no doubt that Martindale will look to carry it forward. Moreover, apart from his close ties to the Harbaughs, the 60-year-old also shares an intriguing connection with the coach whose place he’s taking – Jesse Minter.

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Wink Martindale’s connection with Michigan’s former defensive coordinator

Martindale has had a long-standing relationship with Jesse Minter, which dates back to their time with the Ravens. During his tenure, Martindale crafted a formidable defense with notable assistants Jesse Minter and Mike MacDonald. After he departed from the Ravens in 2021, coinciding with MacDonald’s return from Michigan to succeed him, Martindale helmed the Giants’ defense for the past two seasons.

The 60-year-old is widely regarded as one of football’s sharpest defensive minds, and his expertise spans decades despite a notable absence from college football since 2003. Minter and former Michigan defensive coordinator MacDonald both integrated variations of Martindale’s defensive strategies, ensuring a smooth transition for Michigan players familiar with similar concepts.

As Martindale prepares to join Michigan’s coaching staff, his proven track record and strategic acumen promise to fortify the team’s defense and provide stability amid coaching changes. His arrival will fill the void left by Jesse Minter, who recently departed to join Jim Harbaugh with the Los Angeles Chargers as their defensive coordinator.

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