FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — The Atlanta Falcons completed an interview with Don "Wink" Martindale for their defensive coordinator position, the team announced Tuesday.
Martindale marks the Falcons' first official interview.
NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported Martindale is also expected to interview Wednesday with the Indianapolis Colts.
Martindale may not have coached in the NFL in 2024, but he boasts two decades of previous experience in the league, including seven years as a defensive coordinator.
Take a deeper look into Martindale's coaching history below.
Interview date: Tuesday, Jan. 14
Last stop: Defensive coordinator for the University of Michigan
Resume highlights:
- New York Giants, 2022-23: Martindale's last NFL job was back-to-back seasons as a defensive coordinator.
- Baltimore Ravens, 2012-21: Martindale spent a decade with the Ravens, working as the inside linebackers coach (2012-15), linebackers coach (2016-17) and defensive coordinator (2018-21).
- Denver Broncos, 2009-10: Martindale worked one season as the linebacker coach before being promoted to defensive coordinator.
- Oakland Raiders, 2004-08: Martindale entered the NFL as an inside linebackers coach (2004-05) and then broadened those responsibilities to an overall linebackers coach (2007-08).
Why he's a candidate: Martindale's resume speaks for itself, even without the nuanced details that are about to follow.
First, the NCAA.
Though Michigan was the reigning national champion in 2024, the Wolverines were a different team this past season under first-year head coach Sherrone Moore. Still, in just his first season at Michigan and his first collegiate role since 2003, Martindale helped the Wolverines to be the No. 11 defense in the NCAA with 307 yards allowed per game. They allowed 4.86 yards per play, which also ranked 11th.
Martindale got his coaching start at the college level, specifically in 1986 with his alma mater, Defiance College. It was his first of five stops before making the jump to the professional ranks.
Now, the NFL.
Martindale has already held the role of defensive coordinator for three different organizations across seven seasons. The 2018-20 Ravens ranked in the top 10 in both points and yards allowed.
Through 20 seasons overall, Martindale helped multiple players reach — in total — 22 Pro Bowl seasons and 10 All-Pro campaigns. His first-teamers include defensive end Elvis Dumervil (Broncos, 2009; Ravens, 2014), outside linebacker Terrell Suggs (Ravens, 2011) and cornerback Marlon Humphrey (Ravens, 2019).
Martindale also helped the Ravens win the 2012 Super Bowl.
Strikes against: Martindale's last stop in the NFL wasn't much to write home about. The Giants had the 25th-ranked defense in 2022 and the 27th-ranked defense in 2023. According to the New York Post, Martindale and Giants head coach Brian Daboll parted on less-than-ideal terms at the end of what turned out to be Martindale's final season in New York.
Looking at 2023 specifically, although the Giants ranked in the bottom fourth of the league, their defense tied for the lead in takeaways with 31. Martindale's defense was described as a "boom-or-bust defense" by NFL.com for that reason. So, it depends what the Falcons are looking to prioritize in 2025.
