Michigan football will not defend its national title in 2024. Following a perfect 15-0 season, the Michigan Wolverines lost head coach Jim Harbaugh to the Los Angeles Chargers. At the same time, the backfield duo of rusher Blake Corum and quarterback J.J. McCarthy darted for the NFL. This season, they are 5-4 and 3-3 in Big Ten play, struggling to score on offense, averaging 21.0 points per game (116th in the country). Sans Harbaugh, the Wolverines ushered in the era of head coach Sherrone Moore, the team’s offensive coordinator since 2021. Also joining the Wolverines was longtime NFL defensive coordinator Wink Martindale under the same job title.
The defensive coordinator for the New York Giants from 2022 to 2023, Martindale left the franchise in a mutual parting of ways, joining the Michigan football program this offseason after 21 years in the pro ranks. Martindale spoke to the media on Wednesday, claiming that his team’s struggles this season still triumph over another year coaching with the Giants.
Michigan Football DC Wink Martindale Takes Shot at New York Giants
According to the New York Post Sports on Twitter:
“It’s a lot better than being in some places that are 2-7,” Wink Martindale takes a shot at the #Giants when discussing his coaching future at Michigan.
“When you’re 61, you just try to think about tomorrow, but I am glad I am here. I love the players that we have. You know, I think that it’s a different game, but you know, it is a lot better than being in some places that are 2-7.”
This season, the Michigan football team has allowed 23.3 points per game, the 58th-best rank in the FBS. Last year, they allowed just 10.4 points per game, the best mark in the country. The coaching duo of Jim Harbaugh and defensive coordinator Jesse Minter left for the Los Angeles Chargers this offseason, opening the door for longtime NFL defensive coach Wink Martindale to fill the vacancy. In his first year with Michigan, the team has labored, allowing 5.2 yards per play, the 9th worst mark in the conference.
Michigan has primarily struggled to duplicate its defensive production from last season because of an inept offense paired with five defenders selected in the 2024 NFL Draft. However, Martindale is happy with his talent at Michigan and appreciates his situation more than he would have if he had spent a third year with the New York Giants, who he pointed out as 2-7 on the season. During Martindale’s two years with the Giants, the franchise failed to end the season in the top half of the league regarding points allowed per game. Nevertheless, New York fans put the defensive-minded coach on blast for his unsolicited slight on their franchise:
if Wink was here we would still be 2-7
— Michael J (@Never2OldMan) November 6, 2024
Being 5-4 in college is the equivalent of 2-7 in the nfl tbh.
— CS (@the_captain66) November 6, 2024
Defending National Champs are (5-4) since Wink joined, but hey, take shots at the Giants
— The Kush (@Kush6978) November 6, 2024
Wink looks like he’s about 2-3 cheeseburgers away from a pulmonary embolism. Not saying I hope it happens, just an observation.
— Lavar Beef (@abari34) November 6, 2024
Wink was terrible with the Giants. Top 3 in blitz attempts and bottom 3 in the league in sacks. His schemes didn't work. Giants would be 1-8 if still was the DC.
— Paul Ricciardi (@PaulR1136) November 6, 2024
Leading the reigning champs to a 5-4 record in college is certainly an achievement of all time congrats Wink
— ❔To Nabers🐅 (@BallsDeepInYm3) November 6, 2024
Bro was literally 2-7 at this point last season
— jonnitti (@jonnittiFGC) November 6, 2024
Isn’t the @Giants Defense ranked higher this year versus when he was leading them? Any chance he is running for VP next time?
— J Joslin (@joslin_ny) November 6, 2024
How many points per game did his defense give up last season? 🤔
— Michael (@MTI3502) November 6, 2024
The defense got better this year, so…
— Eric (@E_Feld) November 6, 2024
Lol he’s so bitter. Wasn’t a good DC to begin with. Average at best
— Kyle B (@K_Bryce_89) November 6, 2024
Rent free in his head, the giants are
— aerinruu (@AerinRuu) November 6, 2024
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