Wink Martindale and co. leading defensive unit through ‘no filter’ approach

Mason Graham didn’t need to think twice about how he’d describe Michigan defensive coordinator Wink Martindale.

“​​I would just say, one word: no filter,” the junior defensive tackle said Tuesday with a smile, eliciting laughter among the crowd of reporters.

Graham might’ve ended up using two words, but the sentiment remains the same. Martindale embodies the straightforward approach. He tells it how it is, no sugarcoating or downplaying anything. 

That quality makes Martindale fun — and funny — to be around, according to Graham. But it also has a tangible and significant impact on the Wolverines’ development as a defensive unit. Players always know where they stand and how they can improve. With open and honest lines of communication, Martindale is able to build trust with his players and create an environment conducive to success.

“When he has a message to send, it’s gonna get received,” Graham said. “Whatever he says, we’re gonna fix. I feel like we take his coaching well and we just try to do better after whatever he tells us to do.”

Senior edge rusher Josaiah Stewart agreed with Graham’s description, attributing it partly to Martindale’s NFL background. After all, there’s really no room for sugarcoated instruction if you want to succeed at the professional level. Stewart also affirmed that the team — although they are student-athletes, not professional athletes — responds well to the “no filter” approach, even when it includes constructive criticism.

“We’re all pretty grown, and we know what it’s like in the next level as well,” Stewart said. “So it’s kind of preparing us for that as well.”

The characteristic extends beyond just Martindale, too. Defensive line coach Lou Esposito, who Graham called “another character,” earned the same description.

“I would say the same thing (about Esposito), like no filter, up front all the time,” Graham said. “He’s gonna let you know how he feels, if you’re doing good, bad, what you need to fix, and he’s just gonna be honest with you. That’s been a really important part of our progression of getting better.”

That progression spans top to bottom throughout the defense, from the new faces to the seasoned veterans. Martindale makes a point to keep the younger players involved and active, whether that’s by giving them pointers or calling on them while analyzing film.

Even players like junior wide receiver Tyler Morris, someone on the other side of the ball who hasn’t worked closely with the defensive staff, can still see those traits in Martindale.

“He’s hard on them, but he’s also cool,” Morris said. “He’s somebody that, just walking past him, he’ll say what’s up to you, he’ll crack jokes with you, stuff like that.”

Martindale keeps it light around the building, but on the field, he’s all business. Throughout this offseason, he and his staff have shaped a defense that Morris feels is the best unit Michigan’s offense will face all season.

And so, whether you consider it one word or two, Martindale’s “no filter” approach has gotten the Wolverines this far — and it doesn’t look like he’ll be holding back anytime soon.

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