Analyzing what Michigan's defense will look like under Wink Martindale

While Michigan is still basking in the glow of their 15-0 season and winning the national championship, there’s been plenty of changes on their coaching staff after Jim Harbaugh decided to go back to the NFL. Sherrone Moore has wasted little time assembling his new staff in Ann Arbor.

On Friday, he decided to bring in former New York Giants DC Wink Martindale in the same position with the Wolverines.

On3’s Andy Staples chatted it up with Clayton Sayfie of TheWolverine.com about what Michigan’s defense will look like under Martindale.

“But he wanted to keep it the same. It’s worked so well. You saw it in not only every game this past year, because he finished first in total defense in scoring defense. But, specifically, the last three years, the way it’s been built to compete with Ohio State. The athletes that they have. We saw in the national championship game against Washington, where they allowed only one pass play over 20 yards against the best passing offense that we’ve seen in maybe a few years, with Michael Penix and those guys,” Sayfie said in speaking with Andy Staples.

Wink Martindale loves to bring heavy pressure

“So, it’s a system that works. I think Sherrone Moore prioritized keeping it in place. And it is probably gonna look different. If you look at the blitz rate in the NFL, Wink likes to bring some pressure. I’ve got the numbers in front of me. But 2018, Baltimore’s first in the league. 2019, first. 2020, first. 2021, eighth. And then the Giants in 2022, first. Giants in 2023. Second. So, he’s gonna bring pressure. He’s gonna you know, play a little bit differently. Seems like he runs a little bit more man than Minter did at Michigan last year. But he’s gonna have to adapt, too. Right? He’s coming back to college,” Sayfie said.

Jack Harbaugh isn’t Martindale’s only connection to Michigan. He also spent nine seasons with the Baltimore Ravens, including four years as the team’s defensive coordinator. Of course, during his tenure in Baltimore, Martindale served under head coach John Harbaugh, former Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh’s brother.

Moreover, Martindale mentored Jesse Minter, who spent three years with the Ravens. Minter was Michigan’s defensive coordinator for the past two seasons. He will be Jim Harbaugh’s DC for the Los Angeles Chargers in the 2024 campaign.

With so many connections, Martindale’s defense at Michigan will likely be reminiscent of those who came before him. Obviously, it was working. Michigan finished its national championship season with the No. 1 defense in the country, only allowing 247 yards per game.

On3’s Grant Grubbs also contributed to this article.