One of the worst kept secrets around the Michigan football program is finally official.
Don “Wink” Martindale has been named the team’s next defensive coordinator, the program officially announced in a release on Friday. Martindale, 60, was first reported to be set join U-M’s staff back on Feb. 9, and was seen in the crowd along with new head football coach Sherrone Moore at the men’s basketball game against Michigan State at Crisler Center; the announcement was merely a formality.
“I am excited to have Coach Martindale join our staff as defensive coordinator,” Moore said said via the release. “He has coached hall of fame players, coordinated some of the best defenses in football and his expertise and knowledge will help our players excel on the field. We are so excited to have the mentor to so many great defensive players and coaches join our staff at Michigan.”
U-M also announced the official hirings of defensive line coach Greg Scruggs, linebackers coach/run game coordinator Brian Jean-May and defensive backs coach/pass game coordinator LaMar Morgan. U-M also added former defensive back Brad Hawkins (2017-21) as a graduate student.
Martindale has spent the past 20 years in the NFL and comes directly after two seasons as defensive coordinator for the New York Giants (2022-23), however his ties to U-M more directly come through his prior stop with the Baltimore Ravens.
Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Don Martindale talks with reporters after an NFL football practice, Tuesday, Aug. 17, 2021, in Owings Mills, Md.(AP Photo/Gail Burton)
Martindale spent a decade in Baltimore (2012-21) under John Harbaugh, brother of former U-M coach of Jim Harbaugh, where his first six seasons he served as linebackers coach before he called the defensive shots as coordinator in his final four years.
Though things fell apart in his…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/michigan-football-officially-hires-wink-192341668.html
Author : Detroit Free Press
Publish date : 2024-03-08 19:23:41
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