The feud that’s been rumored to have long existed between New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll and defensive coordinator Don “Wink” Martindale reached a boiling point Monday.
According to the New York Post, Martindale cursed out Daboll and left the team facility after being told two of his closest defensive lieutenants were being fired. He also threatened to resign that day, but didn’t actually do it. The sides eventually agreed to mutually part ways Wednesday after the situation dragged into Wednesday without a resolution. But the decision didn’t come before some serious drama.
Here’s everything to know about the Giants’ coaching fiasco.
The Giants and defensive coordinator Wink Martindale have mutually agreed to part ways.
— New York Giants (@Giants) January 10, 2024
There's reportedly been tension between Daboll and Martindale for months
Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer reported in November that Daboll and Martindale were in a “bad place,” and people in the building could feel the tension between the two. Glazer said he expected a mutual parting of the ways after the season.
"When I talk to people inside that organization they're saying the tension between these two, you could feel it." @JayGlazer has more on the tension building between #Giants HC Brian Daboll and DC Wink Martindale ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/vXjJ4KdpYe
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) November 26, 2023
When asked about the Glazer report, Daboll deflected by making a joke about food. “The biggest argument Wink and I have had is who has the last piece of pizza.”
"The biggest argument Wink and I have had is who has the last piece of pizza."
– Brian Daboll pic.twitter.com/7mu90ux8yV
— Giants Videos (@SNYGiants) November 26, 2023
Reports surfaced Monday that Martindale was resigning ...
On Black Monday, as teams around the NFL were handing out pink slips to coaches, the Giants were no different, firing offensive line coach Bobby Johnson and special teams coordinator Thomas McGaughey. They also fired outside linebackers coach Drew Wilkins and defensive assistant Kevin Wilkins.
Martindale, though, wasn’t apart of those firings. And Daboll even went out of his way to say he expected both Martindale and offensive coordinator Mike Kafka back in 2024.
Brian Daboll says he expects Wink Martindale and Mike Kafka to be back with the Giants' coaching staff next season pic.twitter.com/fd5bDwxvfa
— Giants Videos (@SNYGiants) January 8, 2024
Apparently, that was news to Martindale, because later in the day ESPN’s Jordan Ranaan reported the DC was resigning. He cited the rocky relationship between Martindale and Daboll as the reason.
Wink Martindale is resigning as defensive coordinator of the Giants, per source. His relationship with Brian Daboll a big part of the divorce.
Martindale should have options elsewhere. The Giants two most recent opponents, the Rams and Eagles, spoke glowingly of his scheme.
— Jordan Raanan (@JordanRaanan) January 8, 2024
... but Martindale didn't actually resign
This is where we get to the blow up. Apparently, Martindale did tell people he was resigning Monday, but it came after a big blow-up and he never actually told the Giants, according to the NY Post report.
At the root of his blow up was Daboll’s decision to fire the Wilkins brothers, who he brought with him to the Giants from the Baltimore Ravens. According to the Post, Drew Wilkins is Martindale’s most loyal confidant and helps him with other parts of the defense.
Daboll told Martindale he wanted him to stick around but that he was firing the Wilkins brothers. Angered by the decision, Martindale cursed out Daboll, slammed the door, left the building and told people close to him he was resigning. He didn’t relay that information to the Giants, though.
The sides mutually agreed to part ways instead. Here's why
The relationship between Martindale and the Giants was beyond repair, but the reason it took so long for a split to happen likely came down to money. If Martindale had outright resigned, the Giants would have been off the hook for the $3 million he was owed in 2024, according to the Post, and they could have blocked him from going somewhere else. That’s also likely why the Giants preferred not to fire him.
However, people close to the situation didn’t see a way for the relationship to continue. So a mutual parting of ways was always the most likely outcome.
