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Wink Martindale to interview for Atlanta Falcons, Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator job

Nick Profile Picby:Nick Geddes•about 19 hours•

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Wink Martindale
Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Atlanta Falcons and Indianapolis Colts are interviewing Michigan defensive coordinator Wink Martindale for their defensive coordinator vacancies, per Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.

Martindale, 61, is a highly respected defensive play-caller who just wrapped up his first season in Ann Arbor. The Falcons fired Jimmy Lake after missing out on the postseason in their first year under head coach Raheem Morris. Indianapolis, meanwhile, dismissed Gus Bradley. The Cincinnati Bengals could also have interest in Martindale after Lou Anarumo‘s firing, Pelissero noted.

Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore named Martindale the team’s defensive coordinator last February after Jesse Minter followed Jim Harbaugh to the Los Angeles Chargers. Michigan made him the second-highest-paid assistant in college football. Martindale signed a three-year contract with the Wolverines, coming in at an average of $2.5 million over the duration with base salaries of $2.3 million in 2024, $2.5 million in 2025 and $2.7 million in 2026.

Replacing Minter, who helped lead the Wolverines to an undefeated, National Championship-winning season the year prior, is no easy task. Martindale, however, orchestrated one of the best defenses in college football this year.

Wink Martindale back to the NFL?

Michigan finished as the No. 11 defense in the nation, and that unit played its best ball in the second half of the season. From Oct. 26 on, the Wolverines surrendered just 17.3 points per game across six contests. Martindale’s defense saved their best for the final two games of the season. Michigan knocked off rival Ohio State, 13-10, in the 120th edition of “The Game.” A month later, Martindale’s defense held Alabama to 13 points in a 19-13 ReliaQuest Bowl victory.

Martindale has decades of experience in the NFL, making him a natural fit for any team looking for a defensive coordinator. He called plays for the Denver Broncos (2010) and Baltimore Ravens (2018-21) before landing with the New York Giants in 2022. He spent two seasons in New York before the two sides mutually agreed to part ways.