Defensive coordinator Wink Martindale’s expected resignation from the New York Giants might be getting messy.
According to a report from Paul Schwartz at the New York Post, what might have been Martindale’s final hours in the Giants’ offices this offseason were pretty dramatic.
Per Schwartz, Martindale was frustrated with the decision of head coach Brian Daboll to fire outside linebackers coach Drew Wilkins, and his brother, defensive assistant Kevin Wilkins.
After being informed of Daboll’s decision, “Martindale, angered by this news, cursed out Daboll, said his piece, got up, slammed the door and walked out of the building,” wrote Schwartz.
Schwartz went on to detail how tensions had run high between Daboll and Martindale throughout the season.
“There was a feeling in the building that Martindale and Drew Wilkins were creating their own fiefdom within the coaching staff, at times bypassing Daboll and believing they had to answer only to each other and, ultimately, ownership,” Schwartz wrote.
While messy, the breakup still has a ways to go before it’s official. Reports that Martindale intended to resign came out on Monday, but as Schwartz noted, Martindale has yet to officially notify the Giants of any decision. Martindale is still under contract with the Giants for the upcoming season, and a resignation would not only forfeit the money he is due for 2024, but also give New York the ability to keep him from taking a job with another team.
Whenever the split does become official, Martindale will likely be a highly sought after candidate for teams looking to sure up their defense in the coming year.
