Michigan DC Wink Martindale takes inspiration from coaches and players

Ohio State vs. Michigan – College Football Playoff Impact

Michigan Wolverines football defensive coordinator A nod to Martindale took a 20-year break from college football while coaching in the NFL, including seven seasons as coordinator. He had a great time in Ann Arbor this offseason, leading into his first year with the Wolverines.

Martindale spent time with not only the head coach Sherrone Moore but some defensive players on his trip to Ann Arbor before officially accepting the job, and the passion emanating from the athletes caught his attention.

“These guys want to win, that’s the first thing that attracted me to this job,” Martindale said during the Champions Circle Leaders Series with Jake Butt. “What surprised me, because it’s been 20 years and I didn’t know what I was getting back into, is that these guys love football.

“And I said it the other day, I was talking about (junior corner) Will Johnson, who is a very humble kid who has so much to offer that he doesn’t even know it yet – and that’s a good thing, because of the way he works. As many things as we do football-wise in the program, I’ll see Will during a timeout there with 10 or 12 teammates and they’ll work on their own.

“And I don’t care what anyone says, I don’t think you see that anywhere. Truly not. No, no, no, especially not in the NFL. They could do it elsewhere than in the establishment. I’m just talking about the establishment, these guys work. And Sherrone spent some time this spring here at the end trying to call them back, because they just go after it. They love football.

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Martindale worked with former Michigan coordinator Jesse Minter with the Baltimore Ravens, and the two discussed the UM program. Minter told him that “every day is Tuesday.” which indicates that the Wolverines work hard and play physical football on a daily basis.

“It’s Monday to Sunday. It’s a beautiful thing, but you better have a clear mind to come to work as soon as you walk into this building,” Martindale said. “If you’re a football purist, if you really love football, you’ll love Michigan football. I enjoyed every day I was there because I don’t want to disappoint them because of their love for the game.”

Martindale also wants to do right by his team. Defensive line coach Lou Espositolinebackers coach Brian Jean-Mary and defensive backs coach LaMar Morgan work with him on his side of the ball, and Martindale has been impressed with the trio and the entire coaching group.

“It’s the same for the assistants,” the coach continued. “Lou Esposito, LaMar Morgan and BJ, Brian Jean-Mary – I say it, he tells me I say it all the time – the way they work in recruiting and also coach their kids inspires me. And the older you get, the harder it is to find inspiration. The way they work with these kids and the way they recruit has been a lot of fun.

“It took a lot of work. You can see the engagements we get and the work they do. They work so hard, as I told my wife, that I want to use my “No, I’m not doing that” card. I could never say that because I don’t want to disappoint them. It’s been great, I’m ready to go on vacation too. And they are too.

Martindale was immediately drawn to Moore, from the two hours of phone conversations they had to the more than two-hour meeting in Ann Arbor. Moore led Michigan to four wins as interim head coach last season, so he has experience in the game, and Martindale feels the transition has been smooth now that he’s in control. daily program.

“His passion, not towards Michigan, his passion towards the kids, I was like, ‘That’s my guy.’ He wants to do everything right for the players, and what’s the best way to do it for the players,” Martindale explained.

“If you love football, you love Michigan football because it stands for what’s right.”

Wink Martindale: “The national championship is over”

Michigan’s players have made a conscious effort to eliminate signs of complacency stemming from last season’s national championship and their 15-0 record. Martindale noted that the Wolverines have a big target on their backs, but they are working to achieve more success.

“Every year is different. We know that instead of ‘Road To Atlanta,’ live 11-on-11 periods (former Michigan head coach) Jim (Harbaugh) and Sherrone continued through spring ball, or the ‘Beat Ohio’ period that we had in 9-7 and things like that, now people are doing that for Michigan,” Martindale pointed out. “And what they’re going to find with these kids is that it’s going to be difficult, but I’m not panicked. It’s not like they’re sitting on their laurels. They want to start again thanks to their leader, Sherrone.

“The national championship is over. And there will be different lows in every season – anyone who has played sports knows that – and I just know that with the character and the quality of leadership that we have, we will be able to face these things from forehead.