The moment the New York Giants fired head coach Pat Shurmur, the process of finding a new head coach began. They have already interviewed Cowboys passing game coordinator/DB coach Kris Richard for the job, the first of many. Expect the Giants to do their research on nearly ten candidates over the course of the next few weeks. But there is one coach that could be the answer to a franchise that has made the playoffs just once since 2012. Ravens defensive coordinator Don “Wink” Martindale is that guy. No, he’s not the most innovative of coaches, but he brings more than an abundance of potential. He should be the next head coach of the Giants, and here’s why:
Why Don “Wink” Martindale Should be the Next HC of the New York Giants
Baltimore’s successful defenses
For multiple years now the Giants have been towards the bottom of the league in almost every defensive category. They struggle to pressure the QB, rarely force turnovers, and are prone to giving up big plays. In other words, they need help across the board. The best place to start would be by bringing in a coach who has had success in recent years.
Martindale has been with the Ravens since 2012, where he started out as the linebackers coach. He was named the defensive coordinator in 2018 and has built the Ravens into one of the best defenses in the NFL. This past season, Martindale’s Ravens allowed the fourth-least yards of offense per game (300.6), forced the eighth-most turnovers (25), and surrendered just 17.6 points per game, the third-least in the league.
How the Giants’ youth could improve
No one should expect the Giants to instantly become one of the best defenses if Martindale comes. But they can expect one thing – improvement. The Giants have a number of young, talented players on the defensive side of the ball. Towards the end of the season, rookies Julian Love, DeAndre Baker, and Oshane Ximines started to show they have what it takes to play in the NFL. Add in Dexter Lawerence, who played well for almost all of 2019, the Giants have some pieces to work with.
On top of the players that are already there, the Giants have a great opportunity to add a game-changer on defense in the upcoming draft. Adding a player as talented as Clemson LB Isaiah Simmons and making some splashes in free agency could give Big Blue enough talent to compete in 2020. Having an experienced coach in Martindale leading all of those young players could put the Giants back on the map.
His plan to bring Joe Brady
While many casual football fans may not know who Joe Brady is, almost all of them know how potent the LSU Tiger’s offense has been this year. Brady is the mastermind behind that offense, and has not only led the Tiger’s to the national championship game but has set a number of records along the way as well. LSU set school records this year for points (621), points per game (47.8), and total yards (7,206). The offense was on full display this past weekend, during the semifinal game against Oklahoma where the Tiger’s rolled to a 63-28 victory.
Does LSU’s success mean the Giants will become the best offense in the NFL if Brady is hired? No, obviously not. But he will bring an offense that is unique and innovative. After watching the Giants call running plays up the middle on second down the past two seasons, perhaps it’s time Big Blue ventures into the land of college offenses. Arizona saw their offense improve greatly this season when they switched to Kilff Kingsbury’s air-raid offense.
Taking a chance on a coach who has never been the head coach of any team is risky, but it could pay great dividends for the Giants. Hiring Martindale and him bringing Brady along with him could bring Big Blue back to where they haven’t been since 2016 – the playoffs.