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Published on 01/19/2010 at Tue Jan 19 19:37.
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Broncos’ search for next defensive coordinator moves inward

Posted Tue Jan 19th by

In his first season with the Broncos, linebackers coach Don Martindale helped Denver's defense to 39 sacks, 17 interceptions and 17 forced fumbles. (Zach Eisendrath/DenverBroncos.com)

In his first season with the Broncos, linebackers coach Don Martindale helped Denver's defense to 39 sacks, 17 interceptions and 17 forced fumbles. (Zach Eisendrath/DenverBroncos.com)

The search for the replacement for defensive coordinator Mike Nolan, who abruptly left the team to join the Miami Dolphins this week, finds the Denver Broncos looking at one of their own.

Per Jeff Legwold of the Denver Post, the Broncos are considering linebackers coach Don Martindale.  Martindale, 46, joined the Broncos in 2009 after spending the previous five years as linebackers coach of the Oakland Raiders.

“Martindale would be great,” Broncos linebacker Andra Davis told KDVR’s Josina Anderson Monday.  “When it’s your position coach, you know them a lot more from being around them. Your relationship is more personal. The way he had us prepare, coach Wink (Martindale’s nickname) definitely knew his X’s and O’s.

“Hands down, Wink is one of the best coaches I have worked with.”

Martindale had been considered a candidate for different defensive coordinator positions across the NFL for a few years now.  In fact, at one point in early 2009, Martindale received serious consideration from Raiders owner Al Davis to become his new head coach in lieu of then-interim Tom Cable.  Cable ultimately got the job, and Martindale, whose coaching contract was up in Oakland, elected to join Josh McDaniels in Denver a few weeks later.

Legwold notes that, while Martindale is the first in-house candidate to draw reported interested, most consider New England Patriots defensive coordinator Dean Pees the frontrunner.  Pees’ contract with the Patriots is set to expire at the end of the month.

Whomever takes over the defense, Broncos players voiced their hope that the new coordinator appreciates the steps the Broncos took in 2009, and doesn’t hinder their progress in 2010 by overhauling the system again.

“Hopefully we run a similar scheme,” Davis said.  “If everything changes we have to start from scratch.”

No one seems to be enamored with Dean Pees (save Josh McDaniels, that is), and while I have yet to do my due diligence on the former Pat, I’m glad to see another coach get a shot at this.  ESPN’s report on Martindale’s near-hire in Oakland last year described him as “something of a hot commodity” in the league, stating that the Broncos, Jets and Ravens were all expected to make him coaching offers should he become available.  Let’s see if these reports have teeth.

Broncos consider Martindale for coordinator [Denver Post]
Denver Broncos Players React to Mike Nolan’s Departure [FOX 31]
Teammates Tuned In [DenverBroncos.com]
Don Martindale profile [DenverBroncos.com]

  • DantePakistan

    Interesting, I know absolutely nothing about this guy, but if the Jets and Ravens are interested in him he obviously knows his stuff. The only thing that scares him is that Al Davis was seriously considering him for the head coaching gig in Oakland, if Al wants something, it's probably best to do the opposite.

    Looking forward to see where this search takes us.

  • WhidbeyBronco

    I just want to know that a search even exists!

  • DantePakistan

    Very true, hopefully there are multiple interviews and it's not already decided. I'm still thinking it's Pees and McDaniels is set on that.

  • http://broncomadness.com Garrett Barnes

    Martindale is excellent and definitely deserves to be the coordinator. We can't have a major overhaul, and I have just never been enamored by Pees. Martindale on the other hand, I've liked since his hiring. This would prove to me that McDaniels does know how to hire coaches.

  • WhidbeyBronco

    what would be his record for success after that?

  • Jrod

    Getting support from the players makes me hopeful that this guy has what it takes…

  • http://www.broncomadness.com/ Garrett Barnes

    He's helped Elvis Dumervil become one of the best defensive players in the NFL, made the linebackers the most productive part of our offense, and made strides in helping Robert Ayers. He has the qualifications.

  • WhidbeyBronco

    “made the linebackers the most productive part of our offense, and made strides in helping Robert Ayers. He has the qualifications.”

    Generally i prefer to make myself seem intelligent…. but you'll do.

  • http://www.broncomadness.com/ Garrett Barnes

    well now don't i feel like an idiot.

  • TheTroglodyte

    The Raiders had one of the most productive LB groups year in and out under Martindale's tutelage. Don't know how that would translate into a D-Coord position but if the guy knows his X's and O's he is worth consideration for sure. Hopefully if he gets the job he is given room to work and not just told what to do.

  • TheTroglodyte

    lmao

  • mikebirty

    Bob Slowick was a position coach who was appointed with the support of veterans like Champ Bailey.

  • http://broncotalk.net Kyle

    Excellent point. Everybody loved Slowik, not just Champ, everybody.

  • http://twitter.com/KMA55 Kevin Allen

    “No one seems to be enamored with Dean Pees (save Josh McDaniels, that is)”
    I think it WAS Pees, and McD is getting some major resistance from the players and coaches on the decision. I agree with Andra Davis, the best part of the 3 facets of the game for Denver last year was the D, why screw with it now? Keep a guy who already has the system down and knows the player already.
    Apparently Nolan, didn't like the way McD was running things since he made just a lateral move.

  • robtink242

    Personally i believe that Josh McDaniels lost a bet or Nolan found some loop hole to get out. I just don't see him up and leaving like that with me running this organization. But, I dont like the idea of Don Martindale at all. We have a extremely talented defense and there are bright spots all across the board with the secondary being the strenght. This is going to be very interesting.

  • dogheadbrew

    I like the idea of hiring from with in. Our LBs did look better this year. Although I'm still waiting to see DJ Willams turn into the dominate guy he always seems to be on the cusp of becoming. I know he has a million tackles, but he seems to never be in on the “big play.” I'm sure I'm about to get told how right or wrong I am.

    Either way. We NEED a DC for more than one year. Even a mediocre DC and some consistency would be leaps and bounds better than the Flash-and-Crash systems we've had for a few years now.

  • TheTroglodyte

    Slowik was never given a chance to operate though. He was a pawn in the dark side that was Mike Shanahan's web of terror. I'm afraid McD is going to be the exact same way. Hopefully he won't. That is the early impression I get though.

  • TheTroglodyte

    I completely agree with you alla DJ Williams. To get credit for a tackle you just have to be near a play as it finishes. We never see him plugging the whole for a crucial stop. Making plays in the secondary. Getting after to QB. He's a good player but he has never materialized into that pro-bowl guy we can depend on to make things happen.

  • Jrod

    Remember that DJ has been in the unfortunate position of changing D-coordinators every year. Having to adopt a new philosphy each offseason certainly wouldn't help his growth as a dominant defensive player. I'm worried for the same reasons with regards to Ayers. His development already seemed slow last year (for a first round pick anyways) and now changing coordinators again probably isn't the best for him. The same goes for Alphonso as well. I want to A LOT more out a player we traded away a 1st rounder for.

  • TheTroglodyte

    Agreed on all points. I'm not too worried about Alphonso Smith, one can never grade a rookie in his rookie year. He has the right physical tools and mental attitude to make it. It's hard to make that transition to the pros in any position, and CB is certainly one of the tougher spots. He will be able to read and react more next year rather than having to think so much.

    Ayers I am a little more worried about. With such a short track record of success in college and being assigned a rather simple job in his first year (rush the qb), he just never seemed to manifest a presence. For college play he is a well blended specimen of speed and strength. In the NFL, however, he may be too slow to be a speed rush guy and too weak to be a bull rush guy which leaves a no rush guy. Only time will tell.

  • dogheadbrew

    I agree that DJ has had too many changes to really evaluate, but some guys just always seem to be near big plays IE Lewis, Reed, Sanders, Polamalu (?) (yes I know three of them or safeties). I definitely don't want to dump him, and I know those guys benefit from some other factors. That said, I think we still have room for a run killing stud LB, just like 31 other teams.

    I like Smith, but I think CB is a tough position to transition to. He has some good teachers and we will know what we have in a year or two. Ayers worries me more, especially considering some of the other “hybrid” guys that went in the draft. Nothing against Moreno, but how would we have like to have Okapro at 11, then Ayers or Mathews, or maybe even Moreno at 18? Que sera…

    Finally, and further off topic, does anyone know about Mays from USC? He was all over the place last year, and now he seems nonexistent. USC safeties seem to transition well.

  • Jrod

    I guess one thing going for Smith is having guys like Bailey and Goodman to look up to, as well as a veteran presence in the secondary like Dawkins. I know it's a different position, but it's gotta help.

    And I certainly agree that getting a big linebacker this offseason wouldn't hurt either. In fact, I like Bucky Brooks mock draft choice for us with McClain from Alabama. But to be honest I think we have more of a need for a big DT on the line, especially in a 3-4 defense. Fields was ok this season for us, but just wasn't dominant.

  • robtink242

    DJ is the man and is never been the “playmaker” on defense. you can always rely on him thats for sure. But remember in college he had Vilma and in the pros he started with Al Wilson. I know Brian Dawkins is there but if you want him to do what he does. We have to draft McClain or Spikes. Both is a blessing. I hope we give Tony Carter a contract. Alphonso will have to earn his way up. Dominate Special teams then make him come in on nickel blitz to get him physical and build confidence. This defense is talented and should only go up.

  • Doom92

    McImature is already exactly like that…

  • Doom92

    McImature is already exactly like that…