New York Giants defensive coordinator Wink Martindale’s exit has been anything but graceful, according to a report.
Reports on Monday suggested that Martindale was resigning as Giants defensive coordinator amid friction with head coach Brian Daboll. Martindale’s departure, however, was triggered by something more immediate. According to Paul Schwartz of the New York Post, the last straw for Martindale was Daboll’s decision to fire linebackers coach Drew Wilkins, who came to the Giants with Martindale and is regarded as Martindale’s right-hand man on the staff.
The decision to fire Wilkins prompted an emotional response from Martindale. When informed of the decision, Martindale “cursed out” Daboll and stormed out of the coach’s office, leaving the building entirely. While Martindale plans to resign, the Giants have not officially been told as much, and it remains to be seen how the two sides will handle the final year of his contract.
Daboll’s decision was reportedly down to a feeling that Martindale and Wilkins were creating their own “fiefdom” within the coaching staff that at times bypassed the head coach.
Reports during the season indicated that Daboll and Martindale had a poor relationship, and that a parting of ways may have been inevitable. Even if that was the case, it is fairly shocking that it would come to this.
