Wink Martindale was seen at Newark Airport bound for Sarasota earlier this week, and according to Paul Schwartz of the New York Post, the Giants defensive coordinator was bolting after cursing out Brian Daboll and storming out of his office.
Schwartz details the reported events that occurred after Daboll’s press conference with Joe Schoen on Monday, which included the head coach telling reporters that he expected Martindale to return next season. Daboll had just fired offensive line coach Bobby Johnson, who Daboll has a close relationship with, and then let Martindale know that he was also firing Drew Wilkins, Martindale’s buddy on the defensive coaching staff.
Martindale clearly didn’t care for that move, and reportedly cursed out Daboll and slammed the door on his way out, leaving the building. He then reportedly told those close to him that he was resigning, but has not told the Giants that.
Schwartz also reported that the firing of Wilkins (and brother Kevin Wilkins) was a result of Daboll feeling as if Martindale and Wilkins were operating on their own and “bypassing” Daboll, who prioritizes collaboration. When reports emerged of a feud between the two during the season, Daboll reportedly approached Martindale privately on multiple occasions in an effort to bury the hatchet, but Martindale gave no explanation for why the reports would have surfaced.
Daboll also reportedly tried to sit down with the defensive coaches and ask if anything needed to be vented, and nobody had anything to get off their chest.
So, Martindale hasn’t officially resigned, but the Giants will clearly have another defensive coordinator next season, as it doesn’t seem like the relationship between Daboll and Martindale is fixable.