Former Arizona Cardinals head coach Dave McGinnis dies at age 74 after illness

Dave McGinnis, former Arizona Cardinals head coach and Tennessee Titans assistant coach, died Monday. He was 74 years old.

The Titans announced the death of McGinnis, who died after being hospitalized for an illness in early March. A Titans news release said he died at Ascension St. Hospital. Thomas Midtown with his family around him.

“My heart is broken for the loss of coach Mac, who was more than a coach and broadcaster – he was family,” Titans owner Amy Adams Strunk said in a statement.

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Cardinals owner Michael Bidwell also released a statement about McGinnis.

“As Dave often said, he was always the ‘football coach,’ and no one ever filled that role with more passion, enthusiasm and passion,” Bidwell said. “Coach Mac truly loved the game and everything – and everyone – that came with it, especially his players. He was one of a kind and will be greatly missed.”

McGinnis found himself in the interim head coaching position during the 2000 season with the Cardinals, the team he worked for as defensive coordinator in 1996. He was retained as head coach from 2001-03.

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In 57 career games, McGinnis went 17-40 with the Cardinals, eventually being fired after a 4-12 season in 2003.

After his dismissal, McGinnis joined the Titans as the linebackers coach under head coach Jeff Fisher. He would become a staple in Nashville, holding that role and eventually being promoted to assistant coach until 2011.

Arizona Cardinals coach Dave McGinnis walks the sideline against the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio, Nov. 16, 2003. The Browns won the game, 40-6. (Tom Pidgeon/Getty Images)

“Coach Mac has given so much to this organization over the years, and his love, loyalty and passion for the Titans has never wavered,” Strunk said. “He cared deeply about the people around him, and that compassion 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 we will always be grateful for the legacy he left behind.”

McGinnis’ coaching career began in 1973 when he was an assistant at TCU. He also held stints with 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 1986-95 before being promoted to the Cardinals. He also held roles with St. Louis/Los Angeles Rams before stepping down as coach after the 2016 campaign.

McGinnis returned to Nashville to join Titans Radio in 2017, where he served as the color announcer for the games.

Arizona Cardinals head coach Dave McGinnis stands on the sideline during a game against the Oakland Raiders at Network Associates Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., on December 2, 2001. (Jed Jacobsohn/Allsport)

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“I love Dave McGinnis, and I don’t know if I’ve ever met anyone who was more dedicated to football, and football life, than coach Mac,” said Burke Nihill, president and CEO of the Titans. “He just loved the game. Obviously, he played it a long time and he coached it a long time, and with everything he’s done for us over the years as a color analyst and personality for the Titans. He lived a special football life. He was a special guy.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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