Ravens DC Wink Martindale listed as potential candidate for Jaguars HC job
By Kristen Wong
Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Wink Martindale has performed miracles on this injury-ravaged Ravens team in 2021, and he could be on the move to Jacksonville if the Jaguars give him a call.
In the wake of Urban Meyer’s firing, the Jacksonville Jaguars are on the prowl for a new head coach.
Right now, the bar feels pretty low, as the Jaguars would prefer a coach who doesn’t kick his players, call his assistants “losers,” or dance with random women in bars.
Ravens defensive coordinator Wink Martindale checks all those boxes and more.
Martindale’s name has been circulated in the rumor mill for a number of head coaching jobs in the past, but Jacksonville’s prompt firing of Meyer could open up a great opportunity for him.
Former Ravens quarterback Robert Griffin III floated the idea on Twitter, believing Martindale and Jacksonville could be a coaching match made in league paradise.
Jaguars should hire #Ravens DC Don “Wink” Martindale as their next Head Coach. Already have members of the Ravens coaching tree in house and Wink has been doing it at a high level for a long time. His coaching style and personality will make the players and city rally together.
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) December 16, 2021
Ravens DC Wink Martindale could be considered for Jaguars head coaching job
What Martindale has done for the Ravens defense this year has been nothing short of extraordinary.
Currently, Baltimore’s secondary is missing three starters: Marlon Humphrey, Marcus Peters, and DeShon Elliott, and they could be without another in Chuck Clark with the veteran safety landing on the COVID-19 list on Thursday.
In their loss to the Cleveland Browns in Week 14, the defense struggled in the first half with pass interference penalties but came back strong in the second to stifle the Browns’ offense.
Cornerback Anthony Averett nabbed his third interception and stayed steadfast in coverage, and safety Chuck Clark miraculously recovered an onside kick late in the fourth quarter.
Chris Westry, who had the most trouble covering Cleveland’s wideouts, ended up with the second-highest Pro Football Focus grade in the Ravens defense behind Josh Bynes.
Baltimore’s ability to adapt and overcome adversity has been the depressing theme of their 2021 season, and much of their continued success on the defensive side of the ball at least is due to Martindale’s ingenious tinkering.
Before Martindale can consider a head coaching job elsewhere, he’ll face Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers offense in Week 15.
Baltimore may be without star quarterback Lamar Jackson, which means Martindale will have to call a near-perfect game to even give the Ravens a chance at winning.
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Martindale’s job in Baltimore isn’t done yet, but if Jacksonville does give him a call by the end of the season, he deserves the head coach opportunity more than most.