Tennessee Titans broadcaster Dave “Coach Mac” McGinnis, who spent 30 years coaching in the NFL, including parts of four seasons as head coach of the Arizona Cardinals, died Monday after an illness that hospitalized him in March, the Titans announced.
In 2000, McGinnis became Arizona’s interim coach, replacing Vince Tobin, and became the club’s full-time head coach through the 2003 season.
“We were deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Dave McGinnis and offer our deepest condolences to all who knew and loved him,” Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill said in a statement about McGinnis, who was 17-40 as the team’s head coach. “As Dave often said, he was a ‘ball coach’ through and through, and no one filled that role with more passion, enthusiasm and charisma. Coach Mac loved the game and everything – and everyone associated with him, especially his players. He was one of a kind and will be sorely missed.”
A former head coach and defensive backs coach with the Cardinals, McGinnis coached with the Chicago Bears (linebackers coach 1986-1995), Cardinals (DC from 1996-2000; HC from 2000-2003), Titans (linebackers coach 2005-2011) and St. Louis/Los Angeles Rams (Assistant Coach 2012-2016).
McGinnis returned to Tennessee in 2017 for Titans Radio, serving as the game day color analyst through the 2025 season.
“My heart aches for the loss of Coach Mac, who was so much more than a coach and broadcaster – he was family,” Titans owner Amy Adams Strunk said in a statement. “Coach Mac gave so much of himself to this organization over the years, and his passion, loyalty and love for the Titans never wavered. He cared deeply about the people around him and that kindness and reliability left a lasting impression on everyone who knew him. He had a very special place in our family and his presence in our lives and within this franchise will never be forgotten and we will never forget him and we will always be grateful. he leaves behind.”
“The Rams are saddened by the passing of former assistant coach Dave McGinnis,” the Los Angeles team said in a statement. “Our sincere condolences to his family and friends at this difficult time.”
Born Aug. 7, 1951, in Independence, Kansas, McGinnis began his coaching career at his alma mater, Texas Christian, in 1973. He moved on to Missouri, Indiana State and Kansas State.
He got his initial NFL job with the Bears in 1986 under Mike Ditka and remained with Dave Wannstedt before moving to the Cardinals as their defensive coordinator in 1996 under Tobin.
For a while, it looked like McGinnis would get his first break as a head coach back with the Bears.
In 1999, he interviewed for the vacant head coaching position and did well, but McGinnis later found out he was going to be the head coach through word of mouth that a press conference was being set up to announce his hiring. However, he had never confirmed that he would take the job as he was never formally offered it. Without any concrete contract or personnel details, McGinnis recused himself after effectively being named the organization’s head coach without being invited.
McGinnis remained on the job with the Cardinals and eventually got his only chance to coach.
He left for the Titans and joined Jeff Fisher’s staff.
He would rejoin Fisher on the Rams during their move from St. Louis to Los Angeles. Fisher’s final season with the Rams in 2016 was also McGinnis’.
“I told him, ‘Mac, I’ve got a home for you right here,'” Fisher told the Titans’ website. “We became very close friends. My kids called him Uncle Mac growing up and he became Daddy Mac.”
Throughout his long career, McGinnis coached many notable players. Among them were Hall of Famers Mike Singletary, Wilber Marshall and Otis Wilson with the Bears; Hall of Famers Aeneas Williams and Emmitt Smith, Simeon Rice and the great Pat Tillman with the Cardinals; along with many more.
“I thought he was a friend over the years and what a great time it was, the timing of him coming to the Bears and being my coach,” Singletary said, via the Titans’ team website. “I needed someone like him. I knew where I wanted to go, I knew what I wanted to do and I needed someone to guide me, someone to help me and have an overview of what was next for me and how to be professional to get there. For me, Coach Mac was a godsend at the time when he came.”