For those upset, disappointed, angry about the hire, I'd offer this possibility. I've read he may be the closest friend McVay has and IF McVay truly wanted Evero but was blocked.....for this offseason.....who better to take the job as a place holder? On the other hand, he's coached a lot of positions, has experience in Phillips system, Staley's system and Morris' system. He probably has a handle on what tweaks he would make and intimate knowledge of what McVay wants in a defense. It may just be he's put in his time, done everything asked of him and aced the interview. But fans know differently?
Sure this is his first go as a DC and he's not a big name like Staley or Wink Knowitall but how many SB defenses have those two designed? Staley was a DC for all of 1 year (2020) and had the #1 scoring defense and #1 yardage defense, averaged 26 PPG allowed in the postseason (2 G). Martindale has been a DC for three teams, 8 years (2010 and 2018-2023). He has had the #1 defense in points twice (2019 & 2020) and yards twice (2018 & 2019) and holds a 23.8 PPG against average in the postseason (5 G). Plus there are rumors he's difficult to work with and a backstabber. Who needs that? Seems a perfect fit for the Cowboys clusterfook, though I've read Mike Zimmer could come out of retirement to man that position.
Anybody can question the hire. That's easy. What's difficult is offering actual reasons it's a bad hire. Or not as good as some of the big names who are still out there without a DC job.