For 10 years, Michigan football fans had to hold on for dear life every single offseason as speculation ramped up about Jim Harbaugh returning to the NFL. However, Harbaugh didn’t consider the NFL an option — until he did.
Now, with another former NFL luminary on staff, the Wolverines apparently have to continue playing this game.
Michigan football got an NFL-caliber defensive coordinator in Wink Martindale, the architect of the Baltimore Ravens defense. It was Martindale’s system that was installed in Ann Arbor by Mike Macdonald and Jesse Minter, and Martindale ended up succeeding his proteges with the Wolverines following their departures.
And now, Martindale is reportedly interviewing for the Atlanta Falcons open defensive coordinator position.
The Falcons are interviewing Michigan DC and longtime NFL coach Wink Martindale for their vacant defensive coordinator position, sources tell @NFLonCBS.
— Jonathan Jones (@jjones9) January 14, 2025
It took Michigan football fans nearly the whole 2024 season to warm up to Martindale and it would be a huge blow if Martindale was to move on after one season in Ann Arbor.
We’ll keep you updated as this story develops.
Update: Martindale will be interviewing for multiple jobs, it appears.
Longtime NFL defensive coordinator Wink Martindale is scheduled to interview with the #Falcons today and the #Colts on Wednesday, per sources.
The #Bengals also could have interest in Martindale, who is college football’s highest-paid coordinator at Michigan. One to watch. pic.twitter.com/iV6KsWxXn0
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 14, 2025