Don "Wink" Martindale is in his fourth season leading the Ravens' defense, which has continued its long-standing tradition of excellence by ranking consistently among the league's best defensive units. In 2020, Martindale's unit allowed the NFL's second-fewest points (18.9) and seventh-fewest yards (329.8) per game. Since Martindale was named defensive coordinator (2018), Baltimore has produced an NFL-best 12 defensive TDs (tied LAR) and has permitted both the league's fewest points per game (18.2) and total yards per game (307.8). Over the last three seasons (2018-20), Baltimore also leads the league in number of players to record a sack (33) and second-half points allowed (401), while ranking No. 2 in both fourth-down stops (41) and opponent QB rating (81.9). Martindale's 2019 group achieved a strong No. 4 ranking (300.6 ypg), helping the team to a franchise-best 14-2 record and second-straight AFC North Division title. The Ravens' 6 defensive TDs tied (with '06 and '08) for the second most in franchise history (2004 – 7) and also tied (TB) for the most in the NFL in 2019. After guiding his unit to a No. 1-overall ranking (allowed 292.9 ypg) in his first season as coordinator (2018), Martindale was recognized by Sports Illustrated/MMQB as the Assistant Coach of the Year and was the AP NFL runner-up (Bears DC Vic Fangio) for the same award. Baltimore established a modern-era mark by not allowing a second-half touchdown in the first six games of 2018. (The last team to do so was the 1934 Detroit Lions.) Baltimore was also among the best in other key defensive categories in 2018, including ranking third in third-down defense (34.1), fourth in rushing yards allowed (82.9 ypg) and fifth in passing yards permitted (210.0 ypg). The Ravens' 80.6 defensive passer rating stood second, only behind the Bears' 72.9 mark. Initially joining the Ravens in 2012, Martindale guided and helped grow a number of standout Ravens linebackers, most notably former ILB C.J. Mosley, who developed into one of the league's top players, earning a lucrative contract with the New York Jets in 2019. In 2017, the Ravens led the NFL in INTs (22), takeaways (34) and shutouts (3 – the most in a season since the 2003 Patriots). Over the past five seasons (2016-20), the Ravens have allowed the second-fewest points per game (18.7), recorded the fourth-most interceptions (75, tied with Pit. & Buf.) and posted the second-most takeaways (126, tied with NE) in the NFL. In 2016, Baltimore produced an NFL-high 18 INTs (tied, KC & SD). Following 2014, Mosley became the first rookie Raven to earn Pro Bowl honors and finished second in the AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year voting. In addition to Mosley, former Ravens LB Daryl Smith was a standout performer for Baltimore, becoming one of just two NFL players (Lavonte David) to post at least 350 tackles, 5 sacks, 5 INTs and 4 FFs from 2013-15. In 2013, Smith led the team with 123 tackles, also setting a Ravens' single-season record by a linebacker with 19 PD. In Martindale's first season in Baltimore (2012), he coached Hall of Famer Ray Lewis in his final season, helping the Ravens win Super Bowl XLVII.
ADDITIONAL COACHING HIGHLIGHTS: Martindale was the Broncos' defensive coordinator in 2010, guiding a defense that included two Hall of Famers in CB Champ Bailey and S Brian Dawkins. In 2009, he coached all four linebackers in Denver's 3-4 scheme. During that '09 campaign, former Ravens OLB Elvis Dumervil earned first-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors after registering an NFL-high 17 sacks. Martindale originally entered the NFL in 2004 and spent five years guiding the Oakland Raiders' LBs (2004-08). Prior to that, "Wink" coached 11 seasons in the collegiate ranks, including three years at the University of Cincinnati alongside then-assistant head coach John Harbaugh. Martindale also helped Western Kentucky and head coach Jack Harbaugh earn a Division I FCS National Championship in 2002.
2012-20: (with Baltimore) 2020: Ravens allowed the NFL's second-fewest points (18.9) and seventh-fewest yards (329.8) per game...They also forced a league-high 25 FFs and ranked No. 2 in third-down defense (34.0%)...CB Marlon Humphrey (8 FFs, No. 1 in NFL) earned his second Pro Bowl, as did OLB Matthew Judon, while newcomer DE Calais Campbell earned his sixth trip...Rookie LB Patrick Queen posted a team-high 105 tackles, while he was also the NFL's only defender with at least 70 tackles, 3 sacks, 2 FFs, 2 FRs, 1 INT and 1 defensive TD. 2019: Defense allowed the NFL's third-fewest points per game (17.6) and ranked fourth in yards per game (300.6) en route to a franchise-best 14-2 record...Ravens were the fifth-best run "D" (93.4 ypg) and No. 6 vs. the pass (207.2 ypg)...Humphrey (first), Judon (first), CB Marcus Peters (third) and S Earl Thomas III (seventh) earned Pro Bowl honors on defense...Judon led team with a career-high 9.5 sacks and 4 FFs, while Humphrey and Peters tied for the team lead with 3 INTs apiece. 2018: Led the Ravens' defense to a No. 1 ranking (292.9 ypg allowed) in his first season as DC...It was the second time (2006) in team history the Ravens held the top spot...The AFC North division champs allowed the second-fewest points per game (17.9)...Recognized by SI/MMQB as Assistant Coach of the Year and was runner-up for the same award from the AP...LB C.J. Mosley (fourth), S Eric Weddle (sixth) and DT Brandon Williams (first) earned Pro Bowl honors. 2017: Guided the linebackers for the NFL's sixth-ranked scoring defense (18.9 ppg)...Mosley earned his third Pro Bowl in four seasons, after tallying 132 total tackles, 11 TFL, 2 INTs (1 for a 63-yard TD), 1 sack, 3 FRs and 3 FFs. 2016: Over a three-year period, Ravens were one of three teams (Den. & Sea.) to finish in the NFL's Top 10 in total defense in each year from 2014-16...Named the team's linebackers coach and helped guide Mosley to his second Pro Bowl campaign after producing 92 tackles (56 solo) and a career-high and team-leading (tied) 4 INTs...LB Zachary Orr led the team with a career-high 130 tackles, earning second-team All-Pro honors, before retiring on 1/20/17 due to a congenital spinal condition...Baltimore's defense finished first in the NFL with 18 INTs (tied, KC & SD). 2015: Martindale helped Mosley total 116 tackles (76 solo), a career-high 4 sacks (-18 yards), 7 PD, 1 FF and 2 FRs...LB Daryl Smith led the team and ranked 10th in the NFL with 121 tackles (72 solo). 2014: Mosley became the first rookie in Ravens history to earn Pro Bowl honors, finishing as the NFL's only player with at least 125 tackles, 3 sacks and 2 INTs...Smith registered 127 tackles, 1 sack, 1 INT and 2 FFs...Ravens allowed the NFL's sixth-fewest points (18.9 ppg) and eighth-fewest yards per game (336.9), also producing the NFL's No. 2 red zone defense (42.6%). 2013: Smith, who was signed to help replace retired Hall of Fame ('18) LB Ray Lewis, turned in a stellar season, leading the team with 123 tackles, also setting a Ravens' single-season record by a LB with 19 PD (Ray Lewis, 13 in 2003)...Smith was also one of three NFL defenders to tally at least 100 tackles, 5 sacks and 3 INTs. 2012: In his first season in Baltimore, Martindale tutored the inside linebackers, a group that was depleted by injuries, including Lewis, who missed 10 regular season games but returned and recorded an NFL-leading 51 postseason tackles (a franchise postseason record) and 1 PD for a defense that forced 10 turnovers en route to a victory in Super Bowl XLVII.
2009-10: (with Denver) 2010: Was promoted to defensive coordinator...Hall of Fame CB Champ Bailey represented the team in the Pro Bowl, while Martindale also coached Hall of Fame S Brian Dawkins. 2009: Joined the Broncos' coaching staff as linebackers coach and helped the Denver "D" rank seventh in the NFL (315.0 ypg)...Guided OLB Elvis Dumervil, who led the NFL with a then-team-record 17 sacks, to Pro Bowl and first-team All-Pro honors in his first year playing OLB.
2004-08: (with Oakland) 2006-08: Tutored the Raiders' linebackers, including 2005 draft pick Kirk Morrison, who along with 2006 draft pick Thomas Howard, led the LB corps...Morrison and Howard were two of the league's best at forcing turnovers, each tallying 7 INTs from 2006-08. 2006: Oakland's defense ranked third overall (284.8 ypg) and first against the pass (150.8 ypg). 2004: Entered the NFL coaching ranks as the Raiders' inside linebackers coach.
2001-03: (with Western Kentucky) 2003: Promoted to defensive coordinator/inside linebackers for the Hilltoppers, who were ranked sixth in yards allowed per game (283.7). 2002: WKU won the Division I FCS National Championship. 2001: Was hired by head coach Jack Harbaugh (John's father) as inside LBs/special teams coordinator.
1999: (with Western Illinois) Was defensive coordinator/linebackers coach...Tutored former Ravens 2001 draft pick and All-American LB Edgerton Hartwell.
1996-98: (with University of Cincinnati) 1997-98: Coached special teams/linebackers, including former Ravens LB Brad Jackson. 1996: Joined the Bearcats' staff as the defensive ends coach, working alongside John Harbaugh, who was assistant head coach.
1994-95: (with Notre Dame) Spent two seasons as the defensive assistant for the Fighting Irish...Notre Dame earned trips to the Fiesta Bowl (1994) and Orange Bowl (1995)...During the 1994 season, coached with Dean Pees (former Ravens defensive coordinator), who was the Irish secondary coach.
1988-93: Was the DC for three high schools in Ohio, including his alma mater, Trotwood-Madison.
1986-87: (with Defiance College) Began coaching career at his alma mater as its secondary coach…Promoted to defensive coordinator/secondary in 1987.
College: Played linebacker for Defiance College in Ohio...Earned a bachelor's degree in business education.
Personal: Martindale was an All-State linebacker at Trotwood-Madison (Trotwood, OH) HS...He and his wife, Laura, have a daughter, Cassie, and a son, Ty...Cassie, who was a Ravens' marketing department intern in 2013, and her husband, Randy, have a newborn daughter, Gigi.