ESPN been informed by a source that Wink Martindale, the defensive coordinator for the New York Giants, is poised to step down.
The primary cause of Martindale’s divorce with coach Brian Daboll was their tumultuous relationship. During the season, it was said that the two were in a “bad place.” Another person with direct knowledge of the matter claims that the relationship did not much improve in the latter stages.
On Monday, the Giants also dismissed their brother Kevin Wilkins, outside linebackers coach Drew Wilkins, and special teams coordinator Thomas McGaughey.
Martindale brought the Wilkins brothers from Baltimore, and they quickly became two of his most trusted assistants. When it became evident that Martindale would not play for the Giants for a third season, they were dismissed.
With 31 takeaways, the Giants defense tied for the NFL lead after finishing 27th overall in the previous campaign. During a dismal 6-11 season, they were the team’s best unit.
Earlier on Monday, Daboll said he anticipated the return of offensive coordinator Mike Kafka and Martindale. Their contracts kept them both in place for an additional year. That too was prior to him having a chance to confer with his two remaining coordinators.
“It’s my expectation that they’re going to come back. They seem like capable coaches. Thus, it would be beneficial to return and maintain some continuity,” Daboll remarked. “I am aware that Wink discusses this as a destination and other such topics. It’s excellent. I like their dedication to the team and how hard they work. That’s my plan, then.”
Martindale has said time and time again that he saw the Giants as a goal rather than a place to start. However, his friendship with Daboll rendered remaining in New York unfeasible.
In this recruiting cycle, there will likely be a lot of interest in the 60-year-old coordinator who is eager to succeed. In recent years, he has also been considered as a head coach, most notably by the Giants, who hired Daboll two years ago.
After facing his defense, the Philadelphia Eagles and Los Angeles Rams, who were New York’s previous two opponents, were raving about Martindale’s strategies.
When asked about his future last week, Martindale was careful with his words.
“I mean I think the future is bright if you’re asking me how I look at my future,” he said. “I think that these are things that you talk about after the season is over with because [Daboll] wants to beat Philly and I want to beat Philly, and I just think that those answers will come later on in the [next] week as far as which way we go.”
Martindale’s resignation offer on Monday marked the culmination of the situation. The Giants will now be looking to replace at least two coordinators.
Additionally, strength and conditioning coach Craig Fitzgerald was named director of football performance at Florida, and running backs coach Jeff Nixon accepted a job offer to become offensive coordinator at Syracuse.
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