The NFL generally recycles existing staffs on the coaching circuit when jobs come open. But sometimes there are NFL coaches in college poised to roar back into the pros.

That’s exactly what Wink Martindale is after Michigan’s 19-13 bowl game smothering of Alabama this week.

The former Baltimore Ravens and Giants defensive coordinator flexed his pedigree down the stretch of the Wolverines’ season, shutting out Ohio State’s offense in the second half of a 13-10 upset before holding Alabama to three second-half points to end the year with a bang.

Wolverines head coach Sherrone Moore and Martindale strengthened belief in the Michigan program’s continued growth with an impressive three-game winning streak to finish 8-5 overall — despite losing tons of players to the NFL from the previous year’s national championship team under Jim Harbaugh.

But NFL staffs turn over annually at a high rate. Martindale coached three top defenses in Baltimore and the only Giants playoff defense in the last eight years. And there are a lot of teams in need of the schematic advantage and defensive mindset that Martindale has brought wherever he has coached.

The Colts, Jaguars, Bears, Raiders, Cowboys, Jets and Browns all stand out as franchises that have or could make head coaching or coordinator changes where Martindale could augment the existing program. The Giants would qualify, too, except he already left New York voluntarily to escape the toxicity and return to a winning culture, which he found and helped maintain at Michigan.

Martindale then put his stamp on the Wolverines by coaching the nation’s 11th-ranked defense by yards allowed (307 per game), the fourth-ranked defense by rush yards allowed (90.7) and the 19th-ranked defense by points allowed (19.9) — while the Wolverines’ rebuilding offense cycled through quarterbacks and finished 129th in the country in yards (286.2) and 113th in points (22.0).

BUCS’ WHITEHEAD OUT AFTER CAR ACCIDENT

Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Jordan Whitehead was injured in a car accident on his way to the team’s facility on Saturday morning and will not play against the New Orleans Saints today.

Whitehead and the other driver involved in the crash were transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, per ESPN.

Whitehead has 79 tackles and two tackles for loss in 12 games. He missed four games previously due to a pectoral injury and returned last week.

VIKINGS SPEND $2M FOR TICKET BOOST

With tonight’s game at Detroit’s Ford Field being arguably the biggest matchup of the regular season, the Minnesota Vikings took a unique approach to ensure some of their loyal fans had an easier opportunity to attend.

Ahead of their clash with the Lions, the Vikings purchased roughly 1,900 tickets on the secondary market at approximately $1,000 apiece, spending about $2 million. The organization then sent an email to season ticket holders, offering the tickets for as little as $200 each.

The Vikings also informed fans the tickets were intended for their personal use and not for resale.

According to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, the Lions noticed the unusual purchasing activity, flagged it, and later became aware of the Vikings’ email. An excerpt of the correspondence stated, “As a valued season ticket member, we want to offer you the opportunity to purchase lower-level seats for Sunday night’s game.”

The Lions reportedly contacted the league office about the Vikings’ strategic move but were informed no rules were violated.

Storm slows Chiefs

The Chiefs finally departed from Kansas City International Airport for their game in Denver after spending about four hours stranded on the tarmac amid an ice storm that blanketed the region ahead of an impending blizzard.

The Chiefs tried to move up the flight as the weather bared down on them. But the plane they were expected to use was delayed in arriving, so the team had to stick with its mid-afternoon departure, and just before it took off, airport officials announced that all flight operations were suspended due to “rapid ice accumulation.” It took some time to de-ice the plane, clear the runway and get the Chiefs off the ground.