Wink Martindale and the New York Giants have agreed to part ways after two seasons as the Giants’ defensive coordinator. Martindale spent 20 seasons coaching at different places in the NFL, and after a successful first year in New York, the Giants parted ways with Martindale in Year 2 and began looking for something different.

Michigan found success with Mike Macdonald and Jesse Minter playing for the Baltimore Ravens — both of whom were coached by Martindale in Baltimore — so the Wolverines moved back into the NFL tree and agreed to bring Martindale to the Michigan Wolverines.

During Martindale’s media session on Wednesday, he was asked whether he would consider staying in college long term or returning to the NFL. He admitted he didn’t think too much about it, but also chose to make an obvious dig at his previous NFL stop.

“Sure. I didn’t sit down and think long term,” Martindale said. “When you’re 61 you just try to think about tomorrow. I’m happy to be here. I like the players we have. Of course it’s a different game but it’s a lot better than being in some places. 2-7.”

If you ask who could be 2-7? New York Giants.

Martindale’s last time coaching college football was at Western Kentucky in 2003. The landscape of college football is completely different. One of these is Name, Image or Likeness. Martindale was asked about NIL and how he would talk to recruits about it.

“That’s actually a question for all position coaches. I’m the closer, right?

“When they start talking about money, I just say: ‘Yeah, we’ll get to that, and I don’t know anything about it.’ But let’s make no mistake: I know when someone says money doesn’t matter, money matters. Look, it matters to all of us.

“That’s exactly where we’re at; that’s where a kid who’s ranked sixth on your list and a school that’s not competing with a Big Ten school – I’m not saying Michigan, which is just a Big Ten school, can come – that’s where a kid can come in and get him because he’s the best guy out there.” They see it as ‘Does this make sense? This is our sixth man, there is no way we can get that high, but after all, everyone gets it this high.

“I think the situation we’re in right now is unsustainable and I don’t know how long it’s going to last. That’s when I start thinking, who asked me about the long term? That’s when I start thinking about it.”

– Enjoy more Michigan Wolverines coverage at Michigan Wolverines on SI –

Wink Martindale on Michigan’s tackles: ‘I don’t see the missed tackles like others do’

Curt Cignetti says Indiana needs to ‘do its best to have a chance’ against Michigan

5-star TE Brock Harris after Wolverines’ visit: ‘Michigan is really high on my list’