After 20 seasons in the NFL, Wink Martindale is returning to college. Sherrone Moore is hiring Martindale as Michigan's defensive coordinator, per multiple reports.
It's a big swing, and a big get for Moore in his first month as Michigan's head coach. Martindale, who spent the last two seasons as defensive coordinator of the Giants and the four before that as defensive coordinator of the Ravens under John Harbaugh, is one of the more well-respected minds in the game.
For Moore, Martindale has the benefit of having coached in the same defensive system in Baltimore that produced Michigan's last two defensive coordinators in Mike Macdonald, now the head coach of the Seahawks, and Jesse Minter, now the defensive coordinator of the Chargers under Jim Harbaugh. That should make for an easier transition next season for the players and coaches already in the building.
Martindale, 60, is known for playing an aggressive style on defense with an emphasis on getting after the quarterback. The Giants ranked second in the NFL in blitz rate this season, first last season. In Martindale's four seasons in Baltimore, the Ravens ranked first, first, first and eighth in blitz rate.
Moore still has spots to fill on his staff, but Martindale checks a big one off the list. Perhaps most importantly, Moore needs to replace defensive line coach and recruiting coordinator Mike Elston, who followed Harbaugh to the Chargers.