Wink Martindale No Longer in Consideration for Colts Head Coaching Job

Barring anything unexpected, defensive coordinator Wink Martindale will return to the Giants for a second season.

New York Giants defensive coordinator WInk Martindale, who was reportedly a finalist for the Indianapolis Colts head coaching vacancy, has been informed that he is out of the running for the position, according to veteran NFL reporter Michael Silver.

Giants DC Don Martindale has been told he's out of the running for the Colts head coaching job. He was one of the candidates who interviewed twice. @BallySports

— Michael Silver (@MikeSilver) February 10, 2023

The 59-year-old Martindale, who interviewed for the Giants head coaching vacancy in 2020 only to lose out to Joe Judge, was first linked to the Colts vacancy last month while the Giants were in the early stages of their first postseason preparations since 2016.

"It’s an honor when they put a slip in because I think it’s harder to get a head coaching job in this league than being in the senate," Martindale said before the team's divisional game against the Eagles.

In his first season with the Giants, Martindale, who before coming to the Giants spent ten seasons with the Ravens, including four as defensive coordinator, implemented what he often referred to as a "positionless" defense that challenged players to optimize their talents in various ways.

The approach paid off, specifically in situational football. The Giants' defense improved in sacks per pass attempt, third-down stops, red zone efficiency, and average points allowed per game from the 2021 season.

And Martindale, true to his reputation for running an aggressive defense, had the Giants blitzing at a league-high 39.7 percent this season, the Giants finishing eighth in the league in total quarterback pressures (155).

While Martindale was being considered for a head coaching vacancy, he insisted that if things didn't work out, he'd be perfectly happy returning to the team to continue building up a championship Giants defense.

"When I came here as a Giant, it wasn’t a stepping stone for me. It was a destination," Martindale said last month. "I love it here in New York. I love the city. I think it’s the greatest city in the world. I think it’s the greatest fans in the world. And the ownership, the Maras and Tisches, have been great to my family."

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