There’s no love lost between New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll and former defensive coordinator Wink Martindale, who currently coaches at Michigan.
The two had an ugly offseason blowup that led to Martindale’s “resignation,” but little has been said since then. Daboll has routinely brushed off questions about his former coordinator while Martindale has also remained mum.
Until Wednesday, that is.
Asked if sees himself coaching for the “long haul,” Martindale responded with a not-so-subtle and entirely unprovoked jab at the Giants.
“I’m glad I’m here,” Martindale said. “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.”
That feels like sour grapes but it’s not as if Martindale is incorrect. The Giants are 2-7 and things are not going particularly well in East Rutherford, especially after the defense folded like a lawn chair in a Week 9 loss to the Washington Commanders. But Martindale shouldn’t exactly be throwing stones from his glass house.
The Wolverines are defending National Champions but are just 5-4 this season and unranked at the moment. They took it on the chin against three ranked teams (Texas, USC, Illinois) and were also upset by Minnesota. Meanwhile, Martindale’s defense is ranked No. 57 in the country in points per game (23.3).
Asked about Martindale’s comment, linebacker Bobby Okereke implied they may not have been Giants-specific.
“I don’t necessarily see it as a shot. There are a lot of 2-7 teams,” Okereke said, via the New York Post. “Everyone knows I loved playing for him. I still love him. He’s one of the best coaches I’ve had.”
Uh-huh.
