New York Giants defensive coordinator Don “Wink” Martindale is being recognized for his long-sustained success as an assistant coach.
On Tuesday, it was revealed that Martindale is a finalist for the Pro Football Writers of America Dr. Z Award.
Giants defensive coordinator Wink Martindale is a finalist for this year's Dr. Z award, given by the @PFWAwriters for lifetime achievement as an assistant coach in the NFL. Martindale is entering his 20th season as an NFL assistant. #Giants #Ravens #Broncos #Raiders
— Jordan Raanan (@JordanRaanan) April 18, 2023
Martindale came onto the NFL coaching scene in 2004 as a linebackers coach with the Oakland Raiders after a two-decade career in the collegiate ranks. He served as the defensive coordinator for the Denver Broncos and the Baltimore Ravens — where he won a Super Bowl — before joining the Giants in 2022
Martindale, who is the only active nominee on the list, is up against some stiff competition for the award, which is named for former Sports Illustrated writer Paul Zimmerman, known to football fans as “Dr. Z.”
Also up for the honor are:
Thomas Catlin, whose coaching career began in the AFL with Kansas City before going on to a 37-year NFL career as a defensive coach and coordinator with the Los Angles Rams and Seattle Seahawks. He retired in 1995.
Bobb McKittrick, the San Francisco 49ers’ legendary offensive line coach who won five Super Bowls in his 21 years under head coaches Bill Walsh and George Seifert.
John Mitchell, a two-time Super Bowl champion with the Steelers as a defensive assistant and assistant head coach in 29 seasons with Pittsburgh. Mitchell broke the color barrier as a player at Alabama and was the first African-American defensive coordinator in the SEC, spending three years as an assistant for Paul “Bear” Bryant.
Floyd Peters, a former Pro Bowl linebacker in the 1950s and 60s who began his career as a defensive assistant with the Giants in the mid-1970s and would go on to work for seven NFL teams in 23 seasons with a long line of success.
