The Indianapolis Colts are considering one of the league's most established veteran coaches for their head coaching vacancy. According to NFL Insider Jonathan Jones, the team has requested to interview New York Giants defensive coordinator Don "Wink" Martindale.
The Colts have requested permission to interview Giants DC Wink Martindale for their vacant head coach position, source says.
— Jonathan Jones (@jjones9) January 16, 2023
Martindale is 59 years old and has coached at the professional level since 2004. He coached primarily linebackers with the Oakland Raiders and Denver Broncos until he earned his first opportunity as a defensive coordinator with the Broncos in 2010. It didn't work out. The Broncos ranked dead last in yards allowed and points allowed, and Martindale was fired after a single season.
Martindale went back to coaching linebackers for the Baltimore Ravens after a year out of the league. He worked his way back up to a role as defensive coordinator in 2018 and held onto the position until 2021. He teamed up with first-year head coach Brian Daboll on the New York Giants in 2022, and the two have led the team all the way to the Divisional Round this season.
Since that first brutal year with the Broncos, Martindale has grown into an effective and charismatic coach. The Ravens ranked third or better in points allowed three times under his tenure, and his arrival on the Giants coincided with an improvement from 23rd in points allowed in 2021 to 17th this season. In a league that is skewing ever younger and more towards offensive minds at head coach, he would be a refreshing (if risky) change of pace for the Colts.
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