Ravens Promote Don “Wink” Martindale To Defensive Coordinator

The Baltimore Ravens announced Tuesday that they’ve promoted LBs coach Don “Wink” Martindale as their next defensive coordinator, replacing Dean Pees.

• The Ravens also announced that they’ve promoted Mike Macdonald to LBs coach and hired Sterling Lucas as the quality control coach for defense.

We have promoted Don “Wink” Martindale to defensive coordinator. pic.twitter.com/JDLg78ZWS4

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) January 9, 2018

Ravens HC John Harbaugh said that Martindale “earned” promotion to defensive coordinator.

“His aggressive mentality will serve to take our defense to new levels,” Harbaugh said. “He is obviously respected by players, many of whom have already benefited from his direct coaching at the linebacker position. He knows the ins and outs of what we have been about on defense and has been an important contributor to our success on that side of the ball. This is an exciting day for Wink and his family, and also one for the Ravens.”

There was some talk that the Ravens could bring back Chuck Pagano as defensive coordinator, but it appears as though they felt it was best to promote from within for this job.