Titans announce death of former coach, analyst

Dave McGinnis, a longtime coach who served as the Tennessee Titans’ radio analyst from 2017-25, died April 13. He was 74.

“We extend our deepest condolences to the family of Dave ‘Coach Mac’ McGinnis, who passed away Monday afternoon in Nashville with family at his side,” the Titans announced April 13 on X.

McGinnis was the Titans’ linebackers coach from 2004-11. He joined former Titans coach Jeff Fisher in St. Louis as the Rams’ assistant head coach, and followed the franchise’s move to Los Angeles.

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After five years with the Rams, McGinnis returned to Tennessee, succeeding Frank Wycheck as the team’s radio analyst from 2017-25.

“The lives he touched, and the number of people that cared about him, it’s amazing really,” former Titans head coach Jeff Fisher told the team’s website. “Mac treated people so well, and made everyone feel like they were important. Even in the hospital, people would stop by to see him, and he would ask about their families, their grandkids, even when he could barely speak. He made a big impact on so many people. Everyone loved Mac.”

McGinnis was promoted by the Arizona Cardinals from defensive coordinator to interim head coach in the middle of the 2001 season, when Vince Tobin was fired after leading the team to a 2-5 start.

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McGinnis remained as the Cardinals’ head coach for another three seasons afterward, guiding the team to a 17-40 record under his leadership.

“”We were deeply saddened to learn of Dave McGinnis’ passing and extend our heartfelt condolences to all who knew and loved him,” Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill said in a statement released by the team. “As Dave often said, he was a ‘ballcoach’ 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.”

On January 22, 1999, McGinnis was announced in a press release as the 12th head coach in Chicago Bears history. But he had not agreed to a contract, and ultimately couldn’t be swayed to leave his job with the Cardinals.

McGinnis’ coaching profile rose as the Bears’ linebackers coach from 1986-95, the job he held before being named Arizona’s defensive coordinator in 1996.

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McGinnis was a three-year starter as a defensive back at TCU, where he graduated in 1973 with a degree in business management. He remained with the Horned Frogs as a graduate assistant for two seasons, the start of a long coaching career in college and the pros.

A native of Independence, Kansas, McGinnis also coached collegiately at Missouri (1975-77), Indiana State (1978, ‘80-81) and Kansas State (1983-85).