Ex-Giants defensive coordinator Wink Martindale is on Michigan’s DC radar following Jesse Minter‘s departure to the Los Angeles Chargers, 247Sports’ Matt Zenitz reports. In addition, Chiefs defensive line coach Joe Cullen is another possible option for the Wolverines, Zenitz said. New coach Sherrone Moore is continuing to fill out his coaching staff this offseason.
Martindale spent nearly a decade with Baltimore, assisting with linebackers and calling the defense under John Harbaugh previously and it’s that Ravens scheme that is particularly intriguing for Moore, according to The Michigan Insider’s Sam Webb. TMI reported on Tuesday that Martindale “has been engaging in informal talks with Moore since late last week, and things could escalate quickly between him and Michigan in the next couple days.”
Cullen continues to be Moore’s primary target, however, according to TMI. This is one of two important positions Moore is hoping to fill quickly, along with the Wolverines’ open general manager vacancy. More on the search for a new GM can be found, here (VIP).
As for Martindale, if hired, he would be tasked with retooling one of college football’s most impressive defenses coming off the program’s first national championship in 25 years. Minter leaves Ann Arbor after spending the past two years as the defensive coordinator where he helped produce a top-10 unit nationally in points allowed, total defense and run defense during both seasons.
The Wolverines led the FBS in scoring defense (10.4) and total defense (247.0) last fall. Minter crafted a near-flawless game plan for the title game earlier this month as Michigan players executed with precision, shutting down potent offensive juggernaut Washington. Minter was a finalist nominee for the Broyles Award, given annually to the best assistant coach in college football.
Martindale also spent three years alongside Cullen with the Ravens and it’s possible that Michigan could try and hire both to help on the defensive side of the football.
Moore said recently he hopes to have his staff in place by the end of next week.
“We’ve got a few names and people in the boat to do that,” Moore said on The Pat McAfee Show. “And we’ve got a great staff, we’ve got great people here on the staff that we’re trying to keep, we’re going to try to retain. So the staff is starting to shape out, bit by bit every day, and I think by next week or so we’ll have that in place.”
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Michigan moved on Moore quickly after Jim Harbaugh‘s exit to the NFL and made the former offensive line coach and OC its next man in charge.
