Wink Martindale's coaching journey took another unexpected detour this week. The veteran defensive mind, with two decades of NFL experience under his belt, was widely seen as a frontrunner for the New York Jets' defensive coordinator job. But in a move that caught many around the league off guard, the Jets opted to go in a different direction, hiring Brian Duker instead.
For Martindale, it’s the latest twist in what’s been a turbulent stretch. After a brief stint as Michigan’s defensive coordinator-an appointment that began with promise but ended in controversy-Martindale has been looking to reestablish himself at the professional level.
His name carried weight in the Jets’ search, and he was reportedly the only candidate to land an in-person interview with the team. That level of interest usually signals serious consideration, if not outright favoritism.
Yet, the Jets ultimately pivoted to Duker, a 36-year-old rising coach who most recently worked with the Miami Dolphins. Duker doesn’t bring play-calling experience to the table, but he does bring familiarity with Jets head coach Aaron Glenn.
The two worked side by side in Detroit for three seasons under Dan Campbell, with Duker climbing the ranks from defensive assistant to safeties coach and eventually defensive backs coach. That shared history likely played a key role in the final decision.
Glenn, who took over as Jets head coach after four seasons as the Lions’ defensive coordinator, made it clear he values Duker’s football IQ and aggressive defensive philosophy. “During our time in Detroit, Brian consistently demonstrated a high football acumen and an aggressive approach to defense,” Glenn said in a statement. “I’m confident that his energy and knowledge of the game will help elevate our players and push this team forward.”
Duker steps into a role that’s in need of a reset. The Jets’ defense struggled mightily last season, culminating in a 3-14 record that led to the dismissal of Steve Wilks.
Chris Harris, the team’s defensive backs coach and pass game coordinator, filled in as interim defensive coordinator for the final three games. He was among a group of internal and external candidates considered for the full-time job, including Jim Leonhard, Mathieu Araujo, Ephraim Banda, DeMarcus Covington, Daronte Jones, and Jim O’Neil.
Still, Martindale’s candidacy stood out. His resume includes stops with the Giants, Ravens, Broncos, and Raiders, and he’s long been respected for his aggressive, blitz-heavy schemes and ability to maximize talent. But his time at Michigan ended abruptly amid a larger scandal surrounding former head coach Sherrone Moore.
Moore was fired in December after the university investigated an inappropriate relationship with a staff member. Just hours after his dismissal, Moore was arrested and charged with breaking and entering, home invasion, and stalking. He has pleaded not guilty, but the fallout from the incident has cast a shadow over the Michigan program.
Reports suggest tensions between Moore and his coaching staff had been simmering well before the scandal broke. Martindale, as the most high-profile assistant on staff, often bore the brunt of Moore’s frustration. According to sources cited in the reporting, Moore had grown increasingly distrustful of his staff in the final weeks of his tenure, reportedly lashing out during meetings and accusing assistants of undermining him.
In one particularly heated exchange, Martindale reportedly challenged Moore’s concerns about recruiting chatter, only for Moore to respond with an expletive-laced tirade before storming out of the room. Insiders described the relationship between the two as fractured, with one source saying bluntly: “They don’t like each other.”
Martindale has kept a low profile since then, declining to comment publicly due to the ongoing investigation involving Moore. His interview with the Jets was seen as an opportunity to turn the page, but for now, he’ll have to wait a little longer for his next NFL shot.
As for Duker, he inherits a defense in need of a spark. The Jets are betting on continuity, chemistry, and a shared vision between their new head coach and his hand-picked coordinator.
It’s a bold move-and one that could pay off if Duker’s rapid rise continues. But it also leaves one of the league’s most experienced defensive minds still on the outside looking in.