Wink Martindale, a longtime football coach, missed out on landing an NFL gig this week, less than one month after it emerged that he had clashed with former Michigan coach Sherrone Moore. 

Martindale, 62, had been in the running for the New York Jets defensive coordinator job and reportedly had been considered the ‘favorite’ for the position. 

However, in a surprising turn of events, the Jets hired former Miami Dolphins assistant coach Brian Duker on Wednesday. 

The snub is just the latest turn in a rollercoaster few months for Martindale, who most recently had served as defensive coordinator for the Michigan Wolverines until scandal hit the program late last year. 

Martindale, who has around 20 years experience as a coach in the NFL, was named to the position in February 2024 but was informed in December that his services would not be retained for next season following the firing of disgraced head coach Moore. 

Moore was fired on December 10 following a university investigation into an ‘inappropriate relationship’ with a staffer. The 39-year-old was then arrested over an alleged assault that took place just hours later.

Former Michigan defensive coordinator Wink Martindale missed out on the Jets DC vacancy

Former Michigan defensive coordinator Wink Martindale missed out on the Jets DC vacancy 

Martindale was said to have had a tense relationship with ex-Michigan coach Sherrone Moore

Martindale was said to have had a tense relationship with ex-Michigan coach Sherrone Moore 

The New York Jets hired hired former Miami Dolphins assistant coach Brian Duker as DC

The New York Jets hired hired former Miami Dolphins assistant coach Brian Duker as DC

He was charged with breaking and entering, home invasion and stalking after entering a woman’s apartment, confronting her and threatening to kill himself, before spending two nights in jail. He has pleaded not guilty. 

However, in the aftermath of the bombshell affair allegations and arrest, it emerged that Moore’s relationship with his coaching staff had been deteriorating for months with Martindale seemingly the lightening rod for the head coach’s outbursts. 

‘Sherrone wasn’t even speaking to his coaches over the last recent couple weeks, month,’ the Detroit Free Press quoted an anonymous university official as saying before Moore’s firing was made.

The report detailed Moore’s continuing issues with Martindale, the most distinguished name on his coaching team, with Moore apparently ‘screaming at staffers’ in one meeting over concerns that people were talking behind his back about potential recruits.

‘Look, we’re trying to help you get the right recruits,’ Martindale reportedly said, to which Moore is alleged to have hit back at with: ‘You don’t know what the (expletive) you’re doing’.

Moore, apparently getting tearful, then allegedly said: ‘You don’t know how hard it is to be the head football coach and the pressure.’ From there, it is claimed that he stormed out of the room and retreated to his office.

Another insider was quoted by the Free Press as saying that Moore and Martindale ‘don’t like each other.’

Martindale reportedly refused to comment when contacted by the Free Press due to the police investigation into Moore. 

A new report claimed that Moore would clash with Martindale (right) in the buildup to his firing

A new report claimed that Moore would clash with Martindale (right) in the buildup to his firing

Ex-Michigan head coach Moore's haunting mugshot after he was arrested in December

Ex-Michigan head coach Moore’s haunting mugshot after he was arrested in December

In an apparent attempt to put the Michigan nightmare behind him, Martindale interviewed with the Jets this week. 

He, along with Jim Leonhard, Mathieu Araujo, Ephraim Banda, DeMarcus Covington, Daronte Jones, Jim O’Neil and Jets defensive backs coach and pass game coordinator Chris Harris were all believed to be in the running for the position. 

Martindale, who has previously worked with New York Giants, Baltimore Ravens, Denver Broncos and Oakland Raiders was the only known candidate to have an in-person interview with New York.

But the Jets ultimately hired Duker, who was the ninth and last known candidate to interview for the vacancy, and had a video meeting with coach Aaron Glenn on Tuesday. 

The 36-year-old Duker has never been a play-caller and it’s expected that Glenn could take a larger role in leading the defense. 

Glenn was Detroit’s defensive coordinator for four seasons before being hired as head coach by New York last year and has familiarity with Duker.

The two were on Dan Campbell’s Lions staff together for three seasons and Duker worked his way up from defensive assistant (2021), safeties coach (2022) and defensive backs coach (2023) with Glenn as the coordinator.

Moore has been married to his wife, Kelli, since 2015. They have three daughters together

Moore has been married to his wife, Kelli, since 2015. They have three daughters together 

A stony-faced Moore stood beside his attorney during the hearing earlier this month

A stony-faced Moore stood beside his attorney during the hearing earlier this month

‘During our time in Detroit, Brian consistently demonstrated a high football acumen and an aggressive approach to defense,’ Glenn said in a statement issued by the team to announce the hiring. 

‘I’m confident that his energy and knowledge of the game will help elevate our players and push this team forward.’

Duker replaces Steve Wilks, who was fired late in the season after the Jets defense had a miserable showing in a 3-14 season. 

Harris, the defensive backs coach and pass game coordinator, served as the interim defensive coordinator for the final three games.Â