Wink Martindale Interviewing for Jets Coordinator Position
Wink Martindale may soon find himself back in New York. Just a day after the Jets parted ways with several defensive coaches, the Post has confirmed that Martindale will be interviewed in person for the coordinator position.
He is among eight coaches previously identified for initial interviews.
According to sources in the league, head coach Aaron Glenn has prioritized Martindale throughout the selection process, believing that he could significantly influence the Jets’ defensive strategy. Both Martindale and Glenn share a commitment to an aggressive defense, which may just be what the Jets need—especially given their unusual season marked by a lack of interceptions.
Fans of the Giants had hoped Martindale would return, especially since his stint there included a playoff run in 2022 and leading the NFL in 2023. However, that didn’t materialize, and his time with the Giants ended abruptly. Before that, he had worked with head coach John Harbaugh in Baltimore.
Meanwhile, Jets supporters hoping for former player Jim Leonhardt, who is currently an assistant head coach with the Broncos, might feel a bit anxious. Leonhardt is focused on preparations for the AFC Championship game and isn’t available for a move, while Martindale is free after not being retained by Michigan following a coaching change triggered by the Sherrone Moore situation.
Leonhardt is also viewed as a solid candidate for the defensive coordinator position under Harbaugh, which means that the Giants could potentially end up with a former Jets coordinator while the Jets might hire a past Giants coach.
There could be some concern about both Glenn and Martindale being strong personalities, especially after the exit of Aaron Rodgers. Yet, Martindale appears less focused on securing a head coaching role than he was a few years back.
SNY was the first to report Martindale’s direct interview.
On Friday, the Jets terminated the contracts of quarterbacks coach Charles Rondon, offensive pass game coordinator Scott Turner, defensive line coach Eric Washington, linebackers coach Aaron Curry, assistant defensive backs coach Dre Bly, and defensive assistants Roosevelt Williams and Alonso Escalante.
It’s common for new defensive coordinators to bring in coaches they prefer for their respective positions.
