Dave McGinnis, a former Arizona Cardinals head coach and longtime Tennessee Titans assistant, died on Monday at the age of 74. The Titans confirmed his passing, stating he died at Ascension St. Thomas Midtown Hospital after being hospitalized for an illness in early March. His family was present at the time of his death.
Tributes from NFL Teams and Colleagues
Titans owner Amy Adams Strunk and Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill both released statements honoring McGinnis. Strunk described him as "family," while Bidwill praised his passion and charisma, calling him "one of a kind." The Rams also issued a statement expressing their condolences.
McGinnis' Coaching Career
McGinnis began his NFL coaching career as a graduate assistant at TCU in 1973. He served as the Cardinals' interim head coach in 2000 and was retained for three more seasons, compiling a 17-40 record before being fired in 2003. He later joined the Titans as a linebackers coach and was promoted to assistant head coach, a role he held until 2011. He also worked as an assistant head coach for the Rams from 2012 to 2016.
Early Career and Notable Incident
In 1999, McGinnis was mistakenly announced as the Chicago Bears' new head coach, though he had not agreed to a contract. The Bears later retracted the announcement.
McGinnis' impact extended beyond coaching, as he was also known for his work in media and his dedication to the game and his players.