It may be a quick stop at the collegiate level for Wink Martindale.
The former Giants and current Michigan defensive coordinator has defensive coordinator interviews set up with the Falcons and Colts, and the Bengals are a potential option, according to NFL Network.
Martindale, 61, will meet with Atlanta on Tuesday and Indianapolis on Thursday, per the report.
Martindale had a highly public and ugly divorce with the Giants and specifically head coach Brian Daboll, whom Martindale cursed out after learning his right-hand man, Drew Wilkins, and Wilkins’ brother Kevin, were being fired.
The two sides then parted ways, and Martindale returned to the collegiate ranks for the first time in more than 20 years.
The Wolverines had an underwhelming season, but Martindale’s defense held potential national champion Ohio State to 10 points and limited Alabama to 13 points in the Reliaquest Bowl.
Michigan yielded 29 points across its last three games.
Since his split with the Giants had more to do with a style clash than scheme, it’s not surprising that NFL teams would check if Martindale wanted to return to the professional level.
He enjoyed success as defensive coordinator for both the Ravens (2018-21) and Giants (2022-23) prior to heading to Ann Arbor.
Atlanta, Indianapolis and Cincinnati all missed the playoffs in part due to underachieving defenses.
The Falcons ranked 23rd in points allowed per game, the Colts registered 24th and the Bengals’ unit finished 25th.
The question is whether Martindale would want to leave Michigan, having previously expressed his happiness coaching in college while taking a sH๏τ at Daboll.
“I’m glad I’m here,” Martindale said in November. “I love the players that we have. Obviously, it’s a different game [in college], but it’s a lot better than being in some places that are 2-7.”
The Giants ranked 18th in points allowed in Martindale’s first season that included a postseason appearance before regressing to 26th in 2023.
Shane Bowen oversaw a unit that finished 21st this past season and the results angered owner John Mara.
“Quite frankly, I didn’t think our defense played very well this year at all,” Mara said during his end-of-season press conference earlier this month. “I know that when you have an offense that performs like that, you’re putting more pressure on your defense. But we need to make improvements there. I’m tired of watching teams go up and down the field on us. So, I think that has to be addressed.”
Bowen, though, is expected to remain with the Giants, according to The Post’s Paul Schwartz.
