After the success of the Ravens-to-Wolverines pipeline of prior Michigan defensive coordinators Mike Macdonald and then Jesse Minter, Sherrone Moore knew the blueprint he wanted as a first-time head coach and swung for the fences.
When Wink Martindale and the Giants awkwardly parted ways at the conclusion of one season, it opened the door for Moore to nab the veteran NFL assistant for his top defensive post in Ann Arbor.
According to a report today from Austin Meek, not only did Michigan score one of the most well respected veteran defensive play callers in all of football, they also gave him a record-setting deal.
Meek shares that Martindale, who hadn't coached college football in two decades, inked a contract that makes him among the highest paid assistants in college football.
Wink singed a three-year deal with a base salary of $2.3 million this fall, per the report.
That figure will increase to $2.5 million in 2025 and $2.7 million in 2026.
The highest paid coordinator in college football last season was Clemson offensive coordinator Garrett Riley at $2.05 million.
While Martindale's deal makes him the most well compensated coach in college football, Moore and Martindale have recently been tasked with finding a new defensive line coach following the resignation of Greg Scruggs following an arrest last week.