Longtime NFL Coach Dave McGinnis Dies at 74

McGinnis was briefly announced as the Chicago Bears head coach in 1999 before the team retracted the offer.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 12:39am

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a football coaching scene, with sharp planes of muted earth tones overlapping to create a dynamic, abstract composition that captures the essence of the sport and the career of coach Dave McGinnis.A cubist interpretation of a football coaching scene captures the passion and energy of Dave McGinnis' long career on the sidelines.Chicago Today

Dave McGinnis, a longtime NFL assistant coach who briefly looked like he would become the Chicago Bears head coach in 1999 before the team retracted the offer, has died at the age of 74. McGinnis spent over 30 years coaching in the NFL, including as the head coach of the Arizona Cardinals from 2000 to 2003 and as an assistant with the Tennessee Titans and St. Louis Rams.

Why it matters

McGinnis was a respected defensive mind who had a long career in the NFL, including a brief stint as the announced head coach of the Chicago Bears that never materialized. His passing marks the end of an era for an accomplished coach who left a lasting impact on the teams and players he worked with over his decades-long career.

The details

McGinnis began his NFL coaching career with the Chicago Bears in 1986 as a linebackers coach, a season after the franchise won the Super Bowl. He spent 10 years in Chicago working under head coaches Mike Ditka and Dave Wannstedt. In 1999, the Bears briefly announced that McGinnis would become their new head coach, but he said he had never agreed to a contract and the team retracted the offer. McGinnis then went on to become the head coach of the Arizona Cardinals from 2000 to 2003, compiling a 17-40 record. After leaving the Cardinals, he spent several years as an assistant coach with the Tennessee Titans and St. Louis Rams before transitioning to a broadcasting role with the Titans in 2017.

  • McGinnis began his NFL coaching career with the Chicago Bears in 1986.
  • In 1999, the Bears briefly announced that McGinnis would become their new head coach.
  • McGinnis was the head coach of the Arizona Cardinals from 2000 to 2003.
  • After leaving the Cardinals, McGinnis spent several years as an assistant coach with the Tennessee Titans and St. Louis Rams.
  • McGinnis transitioned to a broadcasting role with the Titans in 2017.

The players

Dave McGinnis

A longtime NFL assistant coach who briefly looked like he would become the Chicago Bears head coach in 1999 before the team retracted the offer. He went on to become the head coach of the Arizona Cardinals from 2000 to 2003 and later worked as an assistant coach and broadcaster.

Mike Ditka

The head coach of the Chicago Bears when McGinnis was an assistant coach there from 1986 to 1992.

Dave Wannstedt

The head coach of the Chicago Bears when McGinnis was an assistant coach there from 1993 to 1998.

Jeff Fisher

The head coach of the Tennessee Titans when McGinnis was an assistant coach there from 2003 to 2011.

Amy Adams Strunk

The controlling owner of the Tennessee Titans, who said the team will miss McGinnis dearly and that he was like family.

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What they’re saying

“He was family. 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 authenticity left a lasting impact on everyone who knew him.”

— Amy Adams Strunk, Controlling Owner, Tennessee Titans

“As Dave often said, he was a 'ball coach' through and through, and no one ever filled that role with more passion, enthusiasm and charisma. 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.”

— Michael Bidwell, Owner, Arizona Cardinals

“His passion for the Titans and love for the game came through in every interaction and every broadcast, and he had a unique way of making everyone around him better.”

— Burke Nihill, President and CEO, Tennessee Titans

The takeaway

Dave McGinnis' passing marks the end of an era for a respected NFL coach who had a long and impactful career, from his time as an assistant with the Chicago Bears to his stint as head coach of the Arizona Cardinals and his later roles with the Tennessee Titans and St. Louis Rams. Despite the brief confusion around his potential hiring by the Bears in 1999, McGinnis left a lasting legacy as a passionate and beloved figure in the league.