It was reported Monday afternoon that Don “Wink” Martindale had resigned from his submit because the New York Giants defensive coordinator. Martindale continues to be beneath contract with Huge Blue for yet one more season, nonetheless, which implies a messy, drawn-out breakup could possibly be brewing.
The information of Martindale’s resignation got here solely hours after Giants head coach Brian Daboll had informed reporters that it was his “expectation” and “plan” to have the 60-year-old again within the fold for the 2024 season.
Throughout Daboll’s information convention, it was additionally introduced that the crew was firing a number of assistant coaches, together with outdoors linebackers coach Drew Wilkins and his brother, defensive assistant Kevin Wilkins.
The Wilkins brothers had beforehand labored with Martindale with the Baltimore Ravens and are reportedly “shut.”
New York entered the 2023 marketing campaign with excessive expectations, coming off a shocking playoff berth in 2022 (their first in six years). Beginning quarterback Daniel Jones performed solely six video games earlier than struggling a season-ending torn ACL, nonetheless, Martindale’s protection completed the yr ranked twenty sixth within the NFL in factors per sport allowed and the G-Males ended the marketing campaign 6-11.
An obvious rocky relationship between Daboll and Martindale additionally reportedly contributed to the latter’s determination on Monday.
ESPN’s Jordan Raanan wrote on social media that it was a “huge a part of the divorce.”
Martindale simply completed his second season on the sidelines with Daboll, as they have been each employed of their respective roles in early 2022. The Giants have a 15-18-1 common season file during the last two years and a 1-1 mark within the playoffs.
