Wink Martindale is entering his second year in charge of the Michigan Wolverines defense and is hoping to replicate the late-season success he had in 2024. Taking a look at his previous coaching stops, Martindale’s defenses have seen mixed results in his second year at the helm.
Martindale served as a defensive coordinator for multiple NFL teams in his career, including the Denver Broncos (2010), Baltimore Ravens (2018-2021) and New York Giants (2022-23), before joining the Wolverines.
The most successful
second-year campaign under Martindale came with the Ravens in 2019. After helping Baltimore finish second in total defense and third in scoring defense in 2018, Martindale’s unit remained elite the following season.
With Martindale leading the way, the Ravens ranked fourth in total defense and third in scoring defense en route to finishing with a franchise-best 14-2 record. The defense executed Martindale’s blitz-heavy, high-pressure style to perfection.
On the other hand, Martindale’s second year with the Giants saw a slight decline. After being 25th in total defense and 18th in scoring defense in his first season, New York dropped to 27th and 26th, respectively, in those categories in 2023.
Despite leading the league with 31 turnovers forced, the Giants struggled against the run by allowing the third-most yards per carry (4.7) in 2023. The second-year decline exposed how opposing offenses can adjust to Martindale’s schemes.
In Martindale’s first season at Michigan, the Wolverines started slowly but eventually developed into a very strong unit. Michigan finished 10th nationally in total defense after allowing just six points in the second half over the final four games.
Jalen Hoffman explained how facing the #Michigan defense everyday in spring practice helps make the offense better.
— Charles Post (@chas_post23) May 5, 2025
“Coach Wink is one of the best coordinators in the country. Most of the time, the toughest defense we play is ours.”https://t.co/EZoTJgmeL7 pic.twitter.com/RypN6Ctc8z
Now heading into his second season with the Wolverines, it remains to be seen whether Martindale’s track record of second-year success from his time with the Ravens or regression on the Giants will repeat itself during the 2025 campaign. With more time to instill his philosophy, Martindale could replicate the type of dominance he achieved with Baltimore. The early signs point toward an upward trajectory, given the depth, experience and talent Michigan possesses on defense.
“There is comfort that I was here last year and all the staff is back (besides Kevin Wilkins) so I think that will help us,” Martindale said in his spring practice press conference. “I feel really good about our depth overall as a defense. Do we have any bona fide first round picks? I’m not sure. We’ll wait and see how this season goes but I know that we have some next-day draft picks sitting there ready to go. I can say confidently with the guys that we have, we have more depth in every room.”
