6 realistic coaches the Ravens could hire to replace Wink Martindale
By Justin Fried
4. The Ravens could promote Drew Wilkins to replace Wink Martindale
From Joe Cullen to another assistant who previously worked under Joe Cullen, one very possible internal replacement for Wink Martindale could come in the form of Drew Wilkins.
Wilkins has two things working in his favor: he’s young and has been with the organization for over a decade. Originally hired as a football video operations intern way back in 2010, Wilkins has worked his way up through the organization over the last decade-plus.
The 34-year-old has served as the team’s outside linebackers coach in each of the last two seasons after previously working as an assistant defensive line coach, among other roles.
Wilkins has long been seen as an assistant coach on the rise and will be serving as the defensive coordinator at this year’s East-West Shrine Bowl game. Perhaps that won’t be the only place he serves as a defensive coordinator this year.
3. The Ravens could promote Anthony Weaver to replace Wink Martindale
If you’re looking for an internal option who has experience as a defensive coordinator, defensive line coach Anthony Weaver makes the most sense.
A former second-round pick of the Ravens in the 2002 NFL Draft, Weaver’s NFL career never really took off, but he’s found a second life as a highly-respected assistant coach.
Weaver has been a defensive line coach for a number of different NFL organizations and even served as the defensive coordinator of the Houston Texans in 2020.
His lack of coaching experience with the Ravens could work against him, but he’s one of only two current assistants on the staff (the other being Rob Ryan) with experience as a defensive coordinator in the NFL. He’s definitely a possibility.