Tag: Wink Martindale

Giants’ Shane Bowen expects an easy transition in leadership

New York Giants DC Shane Bowen expects the defensive transition from Wink Martindale to be a smooth one.

In 2023, the New York Giants had a season full of drama on and off the field. It wasn’t just injured bones and muscles but also injured pride and high tension among the front office staff.

The result was Wink Martindale’s departure and Shane Bowen’s entrance as defensive coordinator.

Bowen has been asked all kinds of questions about how he will handle the more colorful parts of Brian Daboll’s personality, and he’s been asked all the standard questions a new DC is asked.

One thing about Monday’s press conference that stood out was that Bowen expects the transition between regimes to be smooth.

“I don’t think they are really going to have to unlearn anything. I think it’s just going to be what we are emphasizing a little bit more, these guys understanding their piece in the defense, how it all works together, understanding concepts, being able to tie them in so we can do different things that are similar in a lot of ways, but there might be one or two variations here or there,” Bowen told reporters.

“But the focus right now is on style of play, on fundamentals and as we get to scheme and we get going in that direction, I think they will be able to pull a lot from what they have done in the past and then if there’s some new things here or there, we’ll teach them, right. We’ll teach them.

“But ultimately for me, I think it’s more of a general approach from my standpoint than anything.”

Bowen seems to have an understanding of what he’s walking into, what he has to work with, and how to make this a smooth transition.

The less the defense has to learn, the more they can focus on the new scheme and how to implement it. Mid-way through the season we’ll have an idea of how well Bowen did that job.

[lawrence-related id=726115,726113,726122]

Why new Michigan LB Jaishawn Barham is the perfect fit for Wink Martindale

He’s fitting in really well for #Michigan. #GoBlue

New Michigan transfer linebacker Jaishawn Barham might know the future or just be really lucky. Either way, the kid has landed in the perfect spot after transferring from Maryland.

See, when Barham committed to Michigan he had no way of knowing Jesse Minter would be leaving and Wink Martindale would join the Wolverines and call the defense. In the grand scheme of things, the difference between Minter and Martindale isn’t extreme. Both run the same basic system, but Martindale blitzes the absolute snot out of his linebackers while Minter is a tad more conservative.

That is where Barnham fits like the last piece of a puzzle. Barham was a top 120 recruit in the 2022 cycle. He was heralded for his size (listed at 6-foot-4, 233 pounds at Maryland) and ability to play outside or inside.

At Maryland, Barham played mostly as a traditional middle linebacker but also utilized heavily as a blitzer. He even lined up as an edge defender on occasion. He’s no Micah Parsons, but with seven sacks to his name through two seasons of football, he understands how to get to the quarterback.

Martindale is famous for a particular defensive front that involves using three defensive linemen to cover up both guards and the center while sitting two edge defenders just outside of the tackles. Barham’s versatility as an edge-linebacker hybrid means that Michigan can run this front without substituting from their base personnel. Kenneth Grant will hulk over the center, Mason Graham and Derrick Moore will work the guards, and Josaiah Stewart and Barham will be the edge defenders.

This alignment would leave Ernest Hausmann as the lone linebacker, but he is more than capable of shifting through traffic and making a tackle in a crowd.

Being able to shift into this formation without substituting is a huge tactical advantage. As many Wolverine fans are aware, Ohio State invested a lot of resources into the run game this offseason and will likely attack on the ground more effectively than in seasons past. If the Buckeyes start to move the ball against the traditional 4-2-5 package, Michigan can adjust its run-stopping front without needing to hustle any players off the field. That plays as a terrific counter to what is usually an advantage in the offense’s favor.

Michigan football players suggest Wink Martindale’s defense is ‘totally different’ from predecessors

This is certainly unexpected. #GoBlue

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — The thought when Michigan football brought in Wink Martindale to replace Jesse Minter — who coached under Martindale with the Baltimore Ravens — was that there wouldn’t be much change. That it would be a continuation of the defense that the Wolverines have run under Minter and Martindale.

However, if you ask fifth-year safety Makari Paige, that’s not how he sees it, not one week into spring practice.

WolverinesWire asked Paige on Monday about the similarities and differences between the two defensive coordinators’ schemes, and Paige put it quite succinctly.

“It’s totally different,” Paige said. “It’s totally different. Everything’s different.”

OK, then.

Paige isn’t one to expound much, but we asked him again because it certainly could have been something of an obfuscation. But he insists: no, it’s a much different defense.

“No, I’m being serious — it’s totally different,” Paige said. “The plays, his mindset — not mindset, but philosophy, I guess?”

Well, let’s get a second opinion, then.

We also got a chance to hear from junior defensive tackle Mason Graham, and while he didn’t go into great detail, he did note that there are different ways that defenses can be run — even if they’re spiritually similar. As Graham tells it, there are nuances, but perhaps not wholesale changes.

“I mean, everyone just has their mix, their splash of their little ideas that they bring,” Graham said. “So I feel like Coach Minter and Coach Wink have different philosophies still within the same structure, but they just have their little differences on defense.”

It’s difficult to know for sure what the truth is here, but it adds intrigue to the defense moving forward.

Fans will at least be able to get a first glimpse on April 20 when Michigan football hosts the annual spring game at The Big House. It will take place at noon and will be broadcast nationally on Fox.

Ex-Giants DC Wink Martindale the highest-paid assistant in college football

Former New York Giants defensive coordinator Wink Martindale is reportedly the highest-paid assistant coach in college football.

Former New York Giants defensive coordinator Wink Martindale is now the highest-paid assistant coach in college football, reports Doug Samuels of Football Scoop.

Martindale and the Giants parted ways in January after a falling out with head coach Brian Daboll. Less than a month later, he landed the defensive coordinator position with the University of Michigan where he reportedly signed a three-year deal with a base salary of $2.3 million in 2024.

That number will increase to $2.5 million in 2025 and $2.7 million in 2026.

“Wink’s awesome, man. I love Wink,” Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore said, via The Athletic. “He’s such a great, vibrant person, a great human being, obviously an extremely intelligent coach. The boys love him. He brings such a great vibe to the team, and experience, obviously.”

Martindale has had quite a successful career as an assistant coach. He was the coach of several amazing NFL defenses including the Super Bowl XLVII champion Baltimore Ravens.

Most recently with New York, in his first year, he led the Giants to the 18th-best scoring defense after years of misery for Big Blue. His defensive prowess helped the Giants win nine regular season games that season and a playoff game.

However, the team’s defense stats fell to 26th in the league during the 2023 regular season. Martindale was not getting the trademark pressure on the quarterback from his troops that he was so well known for. He will now have big shoes to fill at Michigan as they are coming off of a national championship with college football’s best defense.

[lawrence-related id=724668,724507,724288]

Wink Martindale not married to heavy blitzing: ‘I think you change every year’

Don’t expect a redux of Don Brown here. #GoBlue

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — With Don ‘Wink’ Martindale coming to Ann Arbor to run a defense that was patterned after what he ran in the NFL, there are questions as to how similar — or different — it will be with the Michigan Wolverines compared to the Baltimore Ravens or New York Giants.

Many fear that, given how much Martindale tended to blitz this last year in New Jersey, that it will be a return to the Don Brown-style of play, where it was somewhat boom or bust — with the final two-plus years of his system being more bust than boom. However, Martindale says that fans shouldn’t have to worry too much about that. How much he decides to send extra men into the offensive backfield is entirely situational and he’s not married to the idea of blitzing heavily on a down-to-down basis.

“I think you change every year,” Martindale said. “When you go back and look at what you’ve done, and it all depends on the personnel you’ve had. Like in New York, for example, they talked about I blitzed so much — there’s a lot of games where we hadn’t blitzed, in whatever that situation was. I think it changes every year.”

One reason why he may not have to is because he has a tandem at defensive tackle which may be the best in all of college football in Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant.

When you’re able to get consistent pressure up the middle and have adequate edge rushers, it allows a defense to not send extra help in order to get to the quarterback. Last year, the Wolverines had solid edge rushers in Jaylen Harrell and Braiden McGregor, but they weren’t on the same level as say an Aidan Hutchinson or a Kwity Paye or even a Chris Wormley or Taco Charlton. But given that the interior was so dominant, it allows for the edges to make plays perhaps more than what they might otherwise.

That’s not to say the aforementioned duo weren’t stellar players — they were — but similar to last year, trotting out Derrick Moore and Josaiah Stewart (who are up-and-coming in their own right) becomes a little more daunting for an offensive line that has to worry about the two athletic big men in the middle.

Martindale says he’s pretty excited to inherit both, noting they’re the types of players you can build a defense around.

“Every year, no matter where you’re at, you break your entire defense down and start building the foundation from the ground up again,” Martindale said. “You can’t just pick up from where you were the year prior. So I think the foundation, to have those two to start with, would help any defense out — at any level.”

Spring ball kicked off on Monday and will continue into late April with eyes on the spring game on April 20.

Wink Martindale excited to delve heavily into recruiting for Michigan football

OK, getting psyched up about this hire! #GoBlue

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Usually, when a longtime coach at the pro level comes back down to the college ranks, you often hear a lot about how they’re not exactly the most voracious recruiters.

The college game is much different in that regard. There’s really no offseason. Coaches have to be on their game, talking to high school prospects, working diligently to convince them that their college is the best fit for them to develop and get national attention. Now, with the transfer portal, new Michigan defensive coordinator Wink Martindale sees a lot of similarities between college and the NFL.

It may be quite rare that NFL coordinators take college jobs, but Martindale is excited for the challenge. Between the college job itself and the specter of recruiting, he shared his thoughts on how he ended up in Ann Arbor.

“It’s getting very comparable to the National Football League,” Martindale said. “So I think that through mutual friends, Sherrone and I got in contact with each other. And that part worked right away immediately. Just talking to Sheronne, I’ve heard a lot of great things about it. And everything that people have told me I’ve seen, and it’s an opportunity that for myself, and for my wife, I’m like, ‘I want to do this.’ And she’s like, ‘Are you sure?’ I’m like, ‘Yeah, I want to do this’. And, you know, to coach at this great of a university and play the games that we play — I mean, this schedule is not much different than the schedules I’ve been playing for the last 20 years. I know that. So it’s gonna be a tough challenge for us.”

At 60 years old, many have written Martindale off from the recruiting aspect, but don’t be so sure. On Friday, he shared a hefty amount of enthusiasm for that aspect of the game.

His proteges, and also predecessors, in Mike Macdonald and Jesse Minter were decent, although not avid recruiters. But Martindale appears ready for the challenge. And it’s something he says has to be done on a daily basis.

“Well, I think that recruiting, as a coach, I think you recruit every day,” Martindale said. “And the players you have on the roster — now, you tie to the portal, with the pros, it’s free agency. High school kids are transferring now and everything else. I think that part of recruiting is just coaching.

“As far as going out on the road, we did the same thing in the NFL. You can see out here at pro day all the guys that are out. We talk to as many people as you can, as well, as you know, on campus about these players. Same thing in high school. You go to a high school, you’re going to talk to as many people — you’re going to talk to more people at the high school than you are actually the kid to find out about the kid.

“And I think I love the challenge of recruiting, excited about recruiting, I think we have an advantage winning the national championship. And like I already mentioned, the coaches that were brought here, they’re all excellent recruiters. And Sheronne and Sean, they have a plan in recruiting and it’s going to be fun to execute.”

So if you thought that Martindale was going to oversee the defense and nothing else, perhaps it’s time to change your expectations. Because it appears that he’s ready to hit the road and take the challenge of recruiting head on — along with everything else.

Former underlings as predecessors helps Michigan football DC Wink Martindale acclimate

It’s cool seeing the legacy continue. #GoBlue

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — In 2021 when Michigan football hired Mike Macdonald, the former Baltimore Ravens linebackers coach, to be the Wolverines’ new defensive coordinator, fans had questions about his expertise. Macdonald had never been a coordinator at any level, and that created some consternation among the fan base.

However, Macdonald was such a rousing success in just one year that when the Ravens decided to move on from his mentor, Wink Martindale, the Michigan coach replaced him.

Then the maize and blue found another Martindale protege in Jesse Minter, who took what Macdonald did and ran with it, elevating a defense that was already quite stellar. With Minter following Jim Harbaugh to the Los Angeles Chargers, new head coach Sherrone Moore tapped back into the well, but this time getting ‘the O.G.’ of the system — Martindale himself.

While the scheme in Ann Arbor was similar to what he ran in the NFL, there are some differences. But the hallmarks are the same, Martindale has noted. But what’s exciting for him is that he gets to carry the torch of his proteges, which has also helped him get acclimated to his new surroundings.

“The great thing is we were all together, Mike, Jesse and I,” Martindale said. “Obviously others seen throughout the NFL — I think there’s like six teams that are running this system now. And same thing college-wise, you know, D’Anton Lynn at USC. So it’s been a lot of fun. I think we all have our own personalities. I think we all call games differently than each other. Some are more aggressive, some are less aggressive.

“And the thing I love about it is the system works. It’s proven that it works. And I think Mike and Jesse did a tremendous job here at Michigan. And it’s fun for me to watch the tape because you do become the proud parent, if you will, to see another guy’s success and everything else. Because I think as the defensive coordinator, that’s my job not only to develop players, but to develop coaches, and you see a lot of success with those guys.”

While it might be a different type of trajectory, the old guard taking over from the new blood, it’s been something of a help for Martindale knowing that he can get Minter on the phone to discuss how things operate in Ann Arbor. It could be about the school itself, the system that Minter ran, or more, but the new defensive coordinator always has quick access to the former one.

As Martindale sees it, it’s not that he’s just helping with the job, but he helped get him to Ann Arbor, as it were.

“It’s been great. It played a big part of me getting here,” Martindale said. “Jesse, he talked to Sherrone, I know that. And you know, I talked to Jesse. Right now it’s a busy time for him. It’s a busy time for me, too — he always picks up whenever I call. And I’m there for him, too, where he’s at. So it’s been great.”

So the legacy continues, this time with the first now being the last. The man who ran the system and helped develop Michigan’s previous two defensive coordinators is now in the post they vacated.

Though some may see that as a step down, Martindale is appreciative of the continuation of the legacy. Because it’s more than just a scheme — it’s a family.

“It’s nice. It’s the trust factor. You’re talking to a guy that you’ve been friends with or worked with, stayed in touch with,” Martindale said. “I have watched all the Michigan games — we were at Baltimore that last year and then the Giants. We watched — I told LaMar (Morgan — new DB coach who was a coach at Vanderbilt) we watched Vanderbilt play Connecticut. That was a barn burner!

“But, you know, it’s just when you have — it’s basically family because we spend more time, as coaches, we spend more time together than actually, you do your families, which is that’s a sad thing to say about the profession, but it’s the way it is.”

Michigan football officially announces entire new defensive staff

The staff is now officially set. #GoBlue

It’s been exactly one month since Michigan football was revealed to be hiring former Baltimore Ravens and New York Giants defensive coordinator Don ‘Wink’ Martindale, whose defense was the archetype for those run in Ann Arbor under Mike Macdonald and Jesse Minter. Not too long after, the Wolverines were revealed to be bringing in former Wisconsin defensive line coach Greg Scruggs, prodigal linebackers coach Brian Jean-Mary, and former Louisiana defensive coordinator LaMar Morgan as the new secondary coach.

On Friday, the maize and blue finally made the formal announcement that all have been added to the staff.

You can read the full press release below featuring background on all four coaches and Sherrone Moore’s reaction to hiring each of them.

Full release

University of Michigan J. Ira and Nicki Harris Family Head Football Coach Sherrone Moore announced Friday (March 8) the hiring of four full-time assistants to lead the Wolverines’ defensive coaching staff.

Moore’s first staff is led by Don “Wink” Martindale, U-M’s Matt and Nicole Lester Family Defensive Coordinator, who brings 19 years of NFL coaching experience to the program. Martindale was the architect of the defensive scheme that Michigan has run for the past three seasons and will continue to utilize as the framework for its 2024 unit.

The staff includes defensive line coach Greg Scruggs, linebackers coach/run game coordinator Brian Jean-Mary and defensive backs coach/pass game coordinator LaMar Morgan. The Wolverines have also added former defensive back Brad Hawkins as a graduate assistant coach.

“I am excited about the quality of the coaches that we have assembled on the defensive side of the football,” said Moore. “Men of great character who love the game of football and are tremendous teachers. They will put our defensive players in great position to succeed on and off the field. I am excited to work with this outstanding group of assistant coaches as we pursue championships for the University of Michigan.”

Following are comments from Moore on each of the full-time assistant coaches and biographical information on each individual:

Moore on Wink Martindale

“I am excited to have Coach Martindale join our staff as defensive coordinator. He has coached hall of fame players, coordinated some of the best defenses in football and his expertise and knowledge will help our players excel on the field. We are so excited to have the mentor to so many great defensive players and coaches join our staff at Michigan.”

Martindale Biography

He has coordinated the defense at three different stops in the NFL and has worked with four franchises over a 19-year career in the league: New York Giants (2022-23), Baltimore Ravens (2012-21), Denver Broncos (2009-10) and Oakland Raiders (2004-09). Martindale was the coordinator for the Broncos in 2010, served four seasons with the Ravens (2018-21) and spent two years heading up the Giants’ efforts (2022-23).

Across his time in the NFL, Martindale helped his players achieve 22 Pro Bowl seasons and 10 All-Pro campaigns, including four first-team performers in Elvis Dumervil (twice – Denver, 2009; Baltimore, 2014), Terrell Suggs (Baltimore, 2011) and Marlon Humphrey (Baltimore, 2019).

In New York, he helped the organization reach the playoffs in 2022, winning the Wild Card round against the Minnesota Vikings before losing to the eventual Super Bowl runner-up Philadelphia Eagles. Martindale was honored with the 2023 Paul “Dr. Z” Zimmerman Award, which is presented for lifetime achievement as an NFL assistant coach.

Martindale began a 10-year run with the Ravens organization as part of head coach John Harbaugh’s staff, consistently producing some of the NFL’s best defensive units. Martindale coached the inside linebackers for four seasons (2012-15) before leading the entire linebacking unit for two seasons (2016-17) and ending with a four-year run as defensive coordinator (2018-21). In his first season with the franchise, the Ravens went on to win Super Bowl XLVII as hall of famer Ray Lewis posted an NFL-leading 51 tackles in the postseason for a defense that forced 10 turnovers during that stretch.

The Ravens compiled a 43-22 record during that time and his units ranked in the top three in the NFL in points allowed in each of his first three seasons as a coordinator, and first, fourth and seventh, respectively, in yardage yielded while never finishing lower than eight against the run or the pass.

In Martindale’s first three seasons as a coordinator, Baltimore permitted both the league’s fewest points (18.2 avg.) and total yards per game (307.8) and was tied for the league lead with 12 defensive touchdowns. The Ravens led the league in number of players to record a sack (33) and second-half points allowed (401) during those three seasons, while ranking No. 2 in fourth-down stops (41) and opponent QB rating (81.9).

His 2021 defense led the NFL against the run, allowing 84.5 yards a game. Baltimore’s opponents converted only 34.8 percent of third down chances, the league’s third-best figure.

Martindale’s 2019 defense ranked fourth in the NFL by allowing 300.6 yards and helped the Ravens finish with a franchise-best 14-2 record and second straight AFC North Division title. The team’s six defensive touchdowns were tied for the second most in franchise history.

In 2018, the Ravens yielded an NFL-best 292.9 yards per game and established a modern era mark by not allowing a second-half touchdown in the first six games of the season. Martindale was recognized by Sports Illustrated/MMQB as the Assistant Coach of the Year and was the AP NFL runner-up for the same award.

Martindale joined the Broncos’ staff as linebackers coach in 2009 and aided a unit in Denver that ranked seventh in the NFL in yards per game. He mentored Dumervil, who led the league in sacks (17), to Pro Bowl and first-team All-Pro honors in his first year playing linebacker. In 2010, Martindale was promoted to defensive coordinator and worked with eventual hall of famers Champ Bailey and Brian Dawkins.

In 2004, he made the move to the NFL and spent five seasons coaching linebackers for the Raiders (2004-08). Martindale spent his first two seasons working with the inside linebackers and assumed the entire linebacking corps over his final three seasons with the organization.

Martindale spent 12 years in the college ranks, including eight as a defensive coordinator. In that time, his players produced 30 all-conference honors and six I-AA All-American citations.

Prior to jumping to the NFL with the Raiders, Martindale was an assistant coach for three seasons (2001-03) at Western Kentucky under head coach Jack Harbaugh. Martindale was the special teams coordinator and inside linebackers coach during his first two seasons, which included WKU’s run to the 2002 Division I FCS national championship. He was promoted to defensive coordinator and inside linebackers coach for the 2003, where the unit ranked sixth nationally in yards allowed per game.

Martindale was the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Western Illinois (1999). He spent three seasons as an assistant coach at the University of Cincinnati, beginning his tenure as the defensive ends coach (1996) and was promoted to special teams coordinator and linebackers coach during the 1997 and 1998 seasons.

He worked as a defensive assistant coach at Notre Dame during the 1994 and 1995 seasons, with the Irish earning trips to the Fiesta Bowl and Orange Bowl during his tenure.

Martindale played safety and linebacker at Defiance College, earning his bachelor’s degree in business education. He spent two years coaching at his alma mater, coaching the secondary during the 1986 and 1987 seasons. Martindale was elevated to defensive coordinator during his final season with the program.

A Dayton, Ohio, native, Martindale was an all-state linebacker at Trotwood-Madison High School.

Moore on Coach Greg Scruggs:

“I have known Greg since our time together at Louisville and have always appreciated his drive and passion for the game. We have stayed in contact through the years, and I always knew that Greg would be a great leader and teacher for a program that I was fortunate enough to assemble. Greg is a great football coach and an even better person. He will be an outstanding mentor for our players, especially the guys on the defensive line, and will help them achieve their football goals.”

Scruggs Biography

Prior to working with the Badgers, Scruggs spent the 2022 season in the NFL as an assistant defensive line coach with the New York Jets, where he worked with first-team all-pro defensive tackle Quinnen Williams (12 sacks), defensive end Carl Lawson (seven sacks), and tackle John Franklin-Myers (5.0 sacks). The Jets finished fourth in scoring defense (18.6 points per game) and seventh in sacks (45).

Scruggs began his coaching career at Cincinnati where he was defensive line coach for two seasons (2020-21) following two years as the program’s Director of Player Development (2018-19). In that role, Scruggs was the program’s NFL liaison, mentored UC players, and managed off-field initiatives such as team community service efforts. His tenure as defensive line coach coincided with the most successful stretch in program history, culminating with an appearance in the 2021 CFP Semifinal in the Cotton Bowl.

The Bearcats went 22-2 over the 2020-21 seasons while the defense ranked eighth (16.8) and 10th (16.5) in scoring defense, and 13th (324.6) and 10th (318.4) in total defense while racking up 30 and 39 sacks. Scruggs coached four players to six All-AAC accolades including three first-team and two second-team honors. He helped UC defensive end Myjai Sanders (third round, Arizona Cardinals) and defensive tackle Curtis Brooks (sixth round, Indianapolis Colts) become 2022 NFL Draft picks.

Scruggs was part of the 2011 Big East Conference Championship-winning team as a four-year player at Louisville (2008-11). He appeared in 42 games with 26 starts, totaling 61 tackles including eight sacks, and graduated with his degree in Sociology.

The Seattle Seahawks drafted Scruggs in the seventh round of the 2012 NFL Draft, and he went on to have a five-year NFL career that included two Super Bowl titles (XLVIII, Seattle; LI, New England). Scruggs spent four years with the Seahawks (2012-15) before finishing the 2015 season with the Chicago Bears. He signed with the New England Patriots during the 2016 season.

A Cincinnati, Ohio, native, Scruggs attended St. Xavier, where he was part of the nation’s top-ranked high school football team and also played basketball.

Scruggs serves on the international board of directors and as a national spokesperson for Boys Hope Girls Hope, an organization centered on cultivating youth empowerment through the foundation of education and holistic support.

Moore on Coach Brian Jean-Mary

“Brian has been a part of my coaching network for many years. He is a great coach and communicator that I have been fortunate enough to work with and learn from at two different schools (Louisville and Michigan). Brian is an outstanding recruiter and developer of players, and I am really excited to have him lead our linebacking corps. He is familiar with our program and university and will jump right back in and make a major contribution to our team and program.”

Jean-Mary Biography

Jean-Mary is a 23-year coaching veteran with expertise on the defensive side of the ball and experience as an assistant head coach, having spent 10 seasons on the defensive staffs of Charlie Strong. He has coached in 19 bowl games and been part of four conference championship-winning teams during his career. An ace recruiter, Jean-Mary has helped produce top-15 signing classes at Texas (three), Tennessee (two), Georgia Tech (one), and U-M (one) along with a top-30 class at Louisville.

Jean-Mary has helped 10 players hear their names called in the NFL Draft: Louisville defensive backs Calvin Pryor (2014, first round) and Johnny Patrick (2011, third round), Louisville defensive ends Marcus Smith (2014, first round), Lorenzo Mauldin (2015, third round), Greg Scruggs (2012, seventh round), Michigan linebacker Cameron McGrone (2021, fifth round), Texas linebacker Jordan Hicks (2015, third round), Louisville linebackers Preston Brown (2014, third round) and Deiontrez Mount (2015, sixth round), and Georgia Tech linebackers Gerris Wilkinson (2005, third round) and Philip Wheeler (2008, third round).

At Tennessee, Jean-Mary helped the Volunteers rank top-10 in tackles for loss in all three seasons and top-10 in sacks once. Twice, the defense was top-20 in rushing defense and red zone defense. Linebacker Jeremy Banks totaled 128 tackles in Jean-Mary’s first season, the most by a UT linebacker since 2012. The defense doubled its TFL output (108) from the year before. In 2022, the Volunteers won 11 games including the Orange Bowl.

During his first stint in Ann Arbor, Jean-Mary helped Josh Ross (53 tackles), Michael Barrett (44), and McGrone (26) lead the linebacker unit; Ross set a high in solo tackles despite a six-game season. Barrett was All-Big Ten honorable mention in his first year as a starter while linebackers combined for 8.5 of the team’s 24 tackles for loss.

Over three seasons as assistant head coach and defensive coordinator at USF (2017-19), Jean-Mary helped the Bulls’ defense become one of the nation’s best at forcing turnovers, defending the pass, and getting to the quarterback. USF collected 69 turnovers across three seasons (24, 21, 24) and ranked top-30 in turnovers twice. The Bulls ranked top-five in tackles for loss twice and in red-zone defense once. In his first year, the Bulls led the American Conference in total defense, improving from 120th to 37th from the year before, and scoring defense, improving from 92nd to 41st. Defensive tackle Deadrin Senat was one of five all-conference defenders before being drafted in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft.

At Texas, Jean-Mary developed four All-Big 12 linebackers and an All-American in Hicks (2014). UT averaged more than three sacks per game and ranked top-12 nationally in sacks in all three seasons he was on staff, including two top-five campaigns. Texas was top-25 nationally in six categories in 2014 and led the nation in fumble recoveries, finishing 11th the following years.

Before Texas, Jean-Mary worked as assistant head coach/linebackers coach at Louisville where the Cardinals won 37 games and two Big East Championships (2011, ’12) across four seasons (2010-14). UL won three bowl games including the 2013 Sugar Bowl over No. 4 Florida. Louisville’s .885 win percentage (23-3) was the fourth-best in the nation across the 2012-13 seasons. Louisville posted back-to-back 7-6 seasons in 2010-11 and won a share of the 2011 Big East Title. The defense was top-20 in five categories in both seasons, including top-10 marks in pass defense and sacks per game in 2010, and rushing defense in 2011.

The Cardinals went 11-2 in 2012 to finish 13th in the BCS Standings with top-25 marks in passing defense and total defense. In 2013, the unit was among the nation’s best, leading the country in total defense, rushing defense, sacks per game, first downs allowed, and third-down defense with five other top-10 rankings.

Jean-Mary spent six seasons coaching linebackers at Georgia Tech from 2004-09, guiding the defense to rank top-30 in rushing, scoring, and total defense in five of his six years on staff. The Yellow Jackets led the nation in sacks and ranked second in tackles for loss in 2007 and finished top-20 in both categories in 2008. In 2009, Georgia Tech went 11-3 with an ACC Championship and made the 2010 FedEx Orange Bowl.

Jean-Mary got started as a graduate assistant on the strength and conditioning staff at Louisville in 2000 before spending two seasons under Lou Holtz at South Carolina as a defensive graduate assistant coach (2001-02). He then got his first full-time coaching job at North Alabama (2003), a highly successful NCAA Division II program, where he helped the Lions go 13-2, win the Gulf South Conference Championship, and clinch a berth in the semifinals of the 2003 NCAA Division II playoffs while allowing 14.1 points per game (sixth nationally).

Jean-Mary is a native of Apopka, Florida. He earned his bachelor’s degree in 1998 in political science from Appalachian State, where he played linebacker from 1993-97.

Moore on Coach LaMar Morgan:

“LaMar is someone that I have enjoyed getting to know through this process. He came highly recommended by Jesse Minter and I saw why he is respected as an top notch defensive backs coach during our conversations. He is an excellent teacher and communicator, and his passion for football and for helping young men achieve their goals showed through in his interview. I am excited to have LaMar mentoring our defensive secondary and coordinating the passing game.”

Morgan Biography

Morgan came to Ann Arbor from the University of Louisiana program, where he spent two seasons (2022-23) as defensive coordinator and secondary coach. It was Morgan’s second stint with UL after he served as the program’s cornerbacks coach in 2019 and 2020.

Morgan took part in the inaugural AFCA 35 Under 35 Coaches Leadership Institute in 2018. The year before, he participated in the NCAA and NFL Coaches Academy. He also attended the NCAA Future Football Coaches Academy in 2013 at the onset of his career.

In all four seasons with Morgan on staff, the Ragin’ Cajun secondary reached double-digit interceptions (10, 16, 15, 13). The unit ranked third nationally in 2020, and top-25 across the 2022-23 seasons. The defense improved its national ranks from 55th in passing yards allowed, 110th in pass efficiency defense, 105th in scoring, and 97th in total defense before Morgan’s arrival to sixth, second, 31st, and 33rd across those four categories by the end of 2020.

Throughout his time at the University of Louisiana, Morgan helped 11 players (six defensive backs) achieve 13 all-league seasons including four first-team accolades. He worked with and helped develop three players that signed free agent contracts: Michael Jacquet and Mekhi Garner (Philadelphia Eagles) and Eric Garror (Tennessee Titans).

In between his stints at UL, Morgan spent one year as cornerbacks coach at Vanderbilt (2021), returning to the school where he began as a graduate assistant. The Commodores improved from six interceptions across 2019 and 2020 combined to 13 interceptions (33rd, NCAA) in 2021 and had a top-30 red zone defense. Morgan helped develop Allen George, a player who signed a free agent contract with the Cincinnati Bengals.

Morgan coached safeties for three seasons, first at Louisiana Monroe (2016-17) and then at Houston (2018). At ULM, the defense was 16th nationally in passing yards allowed in 2016 and 20th in interceptions in 2017 and Morgan’s safeties were among the team’s leading tacklers at both stops.

His first full-time job came at Western Carolina as secondary coach for the 2014-15 campaigns. The Catamounts were fifth in the FCS in pass defense with 11 interceptions in 2014, the team’s most in five years. Defensive back Trey Morgan was a two-time All-Southern Conference selection and posted a league-leading six interceptions in 2014. Ace Clark was a first-team pick that year as well, one of four all-SoCon players Morgan mentored.

Morgan began his coaching career as a graduate assistant for two seasons at Vanderbilt (2012-13). He worked with the sam linebackers and nickels while the team posted consecutive 9-4 records and appeared in two bowl games. In 2012, the Commodores finished 19th nationally in total defense, 15th in scoring defense, 14th in passing defense, 13th in interceptions, and sixth in pass efficiency defense. The following year in 2013, the unit was 23rd in total defense, passing defense and pass efficiency defense, and 13th in interceptions. Cornerback Andre Hall was named All-SEC second team in both seasons with safety Kenny Ladler picking up first-team honors in 2013.

Morgan played four years as a safety in the ULL program (2003, ’05-’07), appearing in 40 games. Off the field, he was a semifinalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy (then the Draddy Trophy) and a five-time Sun Belt Conference Honor Roll honoree. Twice he was named to the Sun Belt Commissioner’s List.

Ex-Giant Kevin Wilkins joins Wink Martindale at Michigan

Former New York Giants assistant Kevin Wilkins is joining defensive coordinator Wink Martindale at Michigan as a defensive analyst.

Former New York Giants defensive assistant Kevin Wilkins will be joining the staff of the National Champion Michigan Wolverines as an off-field assistant this season.

Wilkins will be working once again under defensive coordinator Wink Martindale, who was hired by first-year head coach Sherrone Moore to be the team’s defensive coordinator.

Wilkins was fired by the Giants after the 2023 season along with his brother, Drew, in a bloodbath that culminated in Martindale’s departure.

“Wilkins is still a good football coach and hiring him as an analyst is a huge boon for the Wolverines,” writes Chris Peterson of GBMWolverine.com.

“He’s got nine years of NFL experience and knows the defensive scheme like the back of his hand. The addition should also make Martindale more comfortable since none of the position coaches were really his guys.”

Drew Wilkins recently joined head coach Jerod Mayo’s staff in New England as the new outside linebackers coach.

[lawrence-related id=724664,724657,724655]

Michigan football adds Wink Martindale protege as defensive analyst

Good move for #Michigan! #GoBlue

Wherever Wink Martindale has gone, he’s tended to bring along a pair of brothers he has an affinity for.

Drew Wilkins was an on-field coach, but Kevin Wilkins was most recently listed as a defensive assistant for the New York Giants. The Rutherford, New Jersey-based franchise ultimately fired both which precipitated Martindale’s departure from the NFL program.

Now one of the Wilkins brothers appears to be Ann Arbor-bound.

According to 247Sports’ Matt Zenitz, Kevin Wilkins will join Michigan football, coming aboard as a defensive analyst. His role previously as a defensive assistant is unclear, but he’ll re-team with Martindale to help lead the defensive charge for the maize and blue.

Wilkins joined Martindale in 2015, coming aboard to the Baltimore Ravens, first as a video assistant before working his way up the ladder.

Via the Giants press release when Wilkins was officially hired:

Wilkins joined the Ravens in 2015 as a video intern, a position he held for two seasons. He was Baltimore’s video operations coordinator from 2017-20. Wilkins began doing special projects for the Ravens’ defensive coaching staff in 2019 and was made a defensive assistant for the 2021 season.

Wilkins was a business major at the University of South Carolina, where he worked as a studio video assistant for five seasons.

A native of Doylestown, Pa., Wilkins attended La Salle College High School.

Wilkins is the first publicly noted analyst to join the new-look Michigan football program under head coach Sherrone Moore.