Veteran Coach Wink Martindale Overlooked for Jets Defensive Coordinator Role
In a surprising development this week, experienced football coach Wink Martindale failed to secure the defensive coordinator position with the New York Jets. This setback comes less than a month after revelations emerged about his strained relationship with former Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore, adding another chapter to what has been a rollercoaster period for the 62-year-old coach.
Jets Opt for Brian Duker Over Martindale
The New York Jets organisation made their decision on Wednesday, appointing former Miami Dolphins assistant coach Brian Duker to the crucial defensive coordinator role. This choice represents a significant snub for Martindale, who had reportedly been considered the favourite for the position and was the only known candidate to have conducted an in-person interview with the team.
Martindale had been among several coaches in contention for the role, including Jim Leonhard, Mathieu Araujo, Ephraim Banda, DeMarcus Covington, Daronte Jones, Jim O'Neil, and current Jets defensive backs coach Chris Harris. Despite his extensive experience and personal interview, the Jets ultimately selected Duker, who became the ninth and final candidate to interview for the vacancy.
Michigan Fallout Continues to Haunt Martindale
This professional disappointment follows Martindale's recent departure from the University of Michigan, where he served as defensive coordinator until scandal engulfed the programme late last year. Martindale had been appointed to the Michigan position in February 2024 but was informed in December that his services would not be retained for the following season.
This decision came in the wake of head coach Sherrone Moore's dismissal on December 10th, following a university investigation into an inappropriate relationship with a staff member. The situation escalated dramatically when Moore was arrested just hours later over an alleged assault, facing charges including breaking and entering, home invasion, and stalking after reportedly entering a woman's apartment, confronting her, and threatening to kill himself.
Deteriorating Relationship with Moore Revealed
In the aftermath of these events, reports emerged detailing the deteriorating relationship between Moore and his coaching staff, with Martindale apparently bearing the brunt of the head coach's frustrations. According to sources speaking to the Detroit Free Press, Moore had stopped communicating with his coaches in the weeks leading up to his dismissal.
The newspaper detailed specific incidents where Moore apparently screamed at staff members during meetings, expressing concerns that people were discussing potential recruits behind his back. In one particularly tense exchange, Martindale reportedly attempted to defuse the situation by stating, "Look, we're trying to help you get the right recruits," to which Moore allegedly responded aggressively, "You don't know what the (expletive) you're doing."
Moore then became emotional, reportedly saying, "You don't know how hard it is to be the head football coach and the pressure," before storming out of the room. Another insider quoted by the Free Press summarised the relationship simply: "Moore and Martindale don't like each other."
Duker's Appointment and Coaching Background
The Jets' selection of Brian Duker represents something of a surprise given his relative inexperience as a play-caller. The 36-year-old has never held primary play-calling responsibilities, leading to expectations that head coach Aaron Glenn might take a more substantial role in leading the defense.
Glenn and Duker have previous working experience together, having both served on Dan Campbell's Detroit Lions staff for three seasons. During this period, Duker progressed through various roles including defensive assistant in 2021, safeties coach in 2022, and defensive backs coach in 2023 while Glenn served as defensive coordinator.
In a statement released by the team, Glenn expressed confidence in his new appointment, saying, "During our time in Detroit, Brian consistently demonstrated a high football acumen and an aggressive approach to defense. I'm confident that his energy and knowledge of the game will help elevate our players and push this team forward."
Martindale's Extensive Coaching Career
Martindale brings approximately two decades of NFL coaching experience to the table, having previously worked with several prominent franchises including the New York Giants, Baltimore Ravens, Denver Broncos, and Oakland Raiders. His substantial background made him a strong candidate for the Jets position, particularly given the team's defensive struggles during a disappointing 3-14 season that led to the dismissal of previous defensive coordinator Steve Wilks.
Following Wilks' departure late in the season, defensive backs coach and pass game coordinator Chris Harris served as interim defensive coordinator for the final three games. The Jets will now hope that Duker's appointment, combined with Glenn's defensive expertise, can help revitalise a unit that underperformed significantly last season.
For Martindale, this represents another professional setback following his Michigan exit. He reportedly declined to comment when contacted by the Detroit Free Press about the situation, citing the ongoing police investigation into Moore's conduct. The veteran coach now faces an uncertain future as he seeks to rebuild his career following this series of unfortunate events.
