Cowboys Move Wink Martindale to 'The Mix' as Coach Hire Candidate: Report
FRISCO - Call it "Wink's Revenge.''
The Dallas Cowboys have intensified their search for a new defensive coordinator with Dan Quinn having become the Washington Commanders head coach.
We knew earlier in the weekend, thanks to an NFL owner serving as an anonymous source, that Cowboys owner Jerry Jones wishes to "hit a home run'' in this hire.
As the NFL owner told CowboysSI.com on Saturday: "Watch him. Jerry wants a home-run hire. He's swinging for the fences here.''
A "home-run hire'' might be a subjective thing. But we also know that in addition to the in-house candidates like Joe Whitt (who does figure to join Quinn in leaving), Aden Durde and Al Harris, the Cowboys have set up early-week meetings with Mike Zimmer and Ron Rivera, two long-time NFL coordinators who also have head-coaching experience - something valued by both the Jones family and by Dallas head coach Mike McCarthy.
Martindale, 60, has never been a head coach. But his resume is otherwise impressive. And now there is a report (via 105.3 The Fan's Bryan Broaddus) that says Martindale is "in the mix.''
Martindale was once the defensive boss in Baltimore overseeing stellar units year after year. Last year he worked for the New York Giants, and he and coach Brian Daboll clashed throughout the season. ... and Martindale was dismissed.
Would Wink like to take it out on Daboll twice a year? Would McCarthy have chemistry with Martindale? Remember, this head coach didn't really know Quinn before he was hired here, and it worked out well in every way.
Some of this would be a continuation of Musical Chairs in the NFC East. Kellen Moore just took a job under the Eagles’ Nick Sirianni. Quinn will bring Cowboys aides with him to Washington. And Washington ex Rivera might end up with the Dallas job. (And yes, Rivera would like to take it out on the Commanders twice a year, no doubt.)
The Cowboys wish to complete a round of interviews quickly before heading off to participate in Super Bowl Week in Las Vegas, but there is plenty of room to interview other qualified guys (Mike Vrabel? Brandon Staley?) ... especially if it's about getting it right in "home-run'' style.
