Pernell McPhee says Wink Martindale’s cool style, adaptability fits Michigan perfectly

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Pernell McPhee finished his NFL playing career under then-Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Wink Martindale. And from there, he's getting his coaching start under Martindale with the Michigan Wolverines.

That speaks a lot to the relationship that McPhee has with Martindale, that he followed him from his playing days to his beginning as a position coach (he works with the edge rushers in Ann Arbor), but with that, he's learning more about what type of coach and person that Martindale is.

Loving him as his own coach, McPhee is enjoying working with Martindale on a professional level, and he thinks the players do as well.

"I’m learning his personality is a little different as a coach from when I was a player, but I think he does a great job of adjusting to the college game," McPhee said. "Like, he’s real different playing, coaching college football, or seeing how college football is played in the NFL.

"So, I think he does a great job adjusting to the offensive systems, the schemes, the unbalance, all the screens that they run, how wide the hash is. I think he has done a great job, especially going into this year. So, it’s just fun, it’s just seeing and watching him and me, and helping me grow as a coach."

One thing that's been a question since Martindale arrived in Ann Arbor has been whether or not he could adjust to working with college players after decades of being in the NFL. Yet, McPhee sees Martindale relating well to the younger players, noting that he has a cool demeanor that the Wolverines can latch onto.

"It’s about the same. Coach has always been cool," McPhee said. "He walks around with his J’s on. He’s always been one of those cool coaches that you love to go out and play for, which I always love playing for him.

"I think it’s cool. He’s been doing a great job with the players, talking to them, talking to a lot of the guys like he did when we was in the league. Coach is one of the most down-to-earth people I’ve ever seen, but like once he gets on that other side, you just got to keep him cool and collected."

Michigan will take the field next at Wrigley Field in Chicago as the Wolverines face Northwestern at noon EST on Fox.

This article originally appeared on Wolverines Wire: Pernell McPhee praises Wink Martindale’s college football transition

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