Wink Martindale ended the 2024 Michigan season on a high note with defensive gems against Ohio State and Alabama. Now, he’s reportedly set to interview for the open defensive coordinator role with the Atlanta Falcons and Indianapolis Colts:
Wink Martindale joined the Michigan Wolverines one year ago after a prolonged stint in the NFL. After just one season in Ann Arbor, it appears his eyes may be set on a return to pros.
On Tuesday, Jonathan Jones from CBS Sports reported that the Atlanta Falcons would be interviewing Martindale for their open defensive coordinator role.
The Falcons are interviewing Michigan DC and longtime NFL coach Wink Martindale for their vacant defensive coordinator position, sources tell @NFLonCBS .
— Jonathan Jones (@jjones9) January 14, 2025
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero added to the report, saying that Martindale would be interviewing with the Falcons on Tuesday and the Indianapolis Colts on Wednesday. The Cincinnati Bengals could also be interested in the veteran defensive coordinator.
Martindale’s 2024 season started a bit rocky, but the defense was humming by the end of the year. Overall, the Wolverines still finished 10th in yards allowed per game, 19th in opponents points per game, and fourth in opposing rushing yards per game. The defense also touted several key pieces that will be atop the NFL Draft in April, including Mason Graham, Kenneth Grant, Josaiah Stewart and Will Johnson.
Michigan capped off the first season under Martindale with its best defensive performances of the season. The Wolverines held an Ohio State team playing in the National Championship to only 10 points and 252 total yards in one of the largest upsets in the history of the rivalry.
The Wolverines backed that up with a stunning victory over Alabama in the ReliaQuest Bowl. Alabama played a majority of its starters, including quarterback Jalen Milroe, while Michigan was without some of its most prolific players on defense. Martindale’s defense forced three turnovers and held the Crimson Tide offense to only 260 yards in a surprising 19-13 win for the Wolverines.
Hopes were extremely high Michigan could continue this dominance into the 2025 season where turnover is expected on the defensive side. Martindale’s 38 years of coaching experience proved to be a major asset for Sherrone Moore in the first year of his tenure.
Surely, the people in power in Ann Arbor will do whatever they can to keep the 61-year-old coach in the maize and blue. While this is just an interview, it’s a sign that Martindale may be focused on a return to the next level. As we saw from Jim Harbaugh a season ago, when a potential Super Bowl is calling, it can be too tempting for many with decades of coaching experience to turn down.