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Dave McGinnis, former head coach of the Arizona Cardinals and assistant coach of the Tennessee Titans, died Monday. He was 74 years old.
The Titans announced the death of McGinnis, who died after being hospitalized with an illness in early March. The Titans’ press release said he passed away at Ascension St. Thomas Midtown Hospital with his family at his side.
“My heart aches for the loss of Coach Mac, who was much more than a coach and broadcaster – he was family,” Titans owner Amy Adams Strunk said in a statement.
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Head coach Dave McGinnis of the Arizona Cardinals watches from the sideline during a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on November 9, 2003. The Steelers defeated the Cardinals, 28-15. (George Gojkovich/Getty Images)
Cardinals owner Michael Bidwell also issued a statement about McGinnis.
“As Dave often said, he was a ‘ball coach’ through and through, and no one ever played that role with more passion, enthusiasm and charisma,” Bidwell said. “Coach Mac truly loved the game and everything – and everyone – associated with it, especially his players. He was one of a kind and will be greatly missed.”
McGinnis found himself in an interim head coaching position during the 2000 season with the Cardinals, the team for which he served as defensive coordinator in 1996. He was retained in the head coaching position from 2001 to 2003.
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In 57 career games, McGinnis went 17-40 with the Cardinals, and was eventually fired after a 4-12 season in 2003.
After being fired, McGinnis landed with the Titans as linebackers coach under head coach Jeff Fisher. He would become a mainstay in Nashville, serving in that role and eventually being promoted to assistant head coach until 2011.
Coach Dave McGinnis of the Arizona Cardinals walks to the sideline against the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio, on November 16, 2003. The Browns won the game, 40-6. (Tom Pidgeon/Getty Images)
“Coach Mac gave a lot of himself to this organization over the years, and his passion, loyalty and love for the Titans never wavered,” Strunk added. “He cared deeply about the people around him, and that kindness and authenticity left a lasting impact on everyone who knew him. He held a very special place in our family, and his presence in our lives and within this franchise will never be forgotten. We will miss him dearly and will always be grateful for the legacy he leaves.”
McGinnis’ coaching career began in 1973 when he was an assistant at TCU. He also held positions at Indiana State, Missouri and Kansas State until the 1986 season, when he broke into the NFL with the Chicago Bears.
McGinnis served as Chicago’s linebackers coach from 1986 to 1995 before earning a promotion with the Cardinals. He also held positions with the St. Louis/Los Angeles Rams before leaving coaching after the 2016 season.
McGinnis returned to Nashville to join Titans Radio in 2017, where he served as the color announcer for games.
Arizona Cardinals head coach Dave McGinnis stands on the sidelines during a game against the Oakland Raiders at Network Associates Coliseum in Oakland, California, December 2, 2001. (Jed Jacobsohn/All Sports)
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“I love Dave McGinnis and I don’t know anyone who was created for football and a football life more than Coach Mac,” said Titans President and CEO Burke Nihill. “He just loved the game. Obviously, he played it a long time and coached it a long time, and with everything he’s done for us over the years as a color commentator and a Titans personality. He lived such a special football life. He was such a special guy.
