ANN ARBOR – Wink Martindale is in his first year on Michigan’s staff but is cognizant of the program’s defensive prowess the previous three seasons. The Wolverines finished top-10 in scoring defense and top-20 in total defense each of the past three years, including being No. 1 in both categories during their 2023 national championship campaign.
Many expected Michigan’s defense to remain at an elite level when Sherrone Moore hired Martindale to become his defensive coordinator this offseason. The 61-year-old had spent the past 20 years at the NFL level and was the self-proclaimed “OG” of the defensive system installed at Michigan by the previous two coordinators – Mike Macdonald in 2021 and Jesse Minter in 2022-23. But those sterling defensive numbers from the last three years have tumbled in 2024.
The Wolverines are 5-4 and sit 56th in points allowed and 48th in total defense. Their offense also hasn’t provided much support, ranking in 116th in scoring and 127th in yards per game. The defense has been on the field for nearly two more minutes per game, which has contributed to more explosive plays against.
“You lose the games that you lose, you’re disappointed,” Martindale told reporters Wednesday. “But also, when you’ve done it as long as I’ve done it, there’s seasons like this where things just happen. I told the defense before the season even started, it’s going to be a different year.
It’s going to be a different season. Continue to harp .
