Former Titans assistant coach McGinnis dies at 74

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Former Tennessee Titans assistant coach Dave McGinnis, who had been hospitalized because of an illness since early March, died at 74 on Monday, the team announced. He was affectionately known as "Coach Mac."

"My heart aches with the loss of Coach Mac, who was so much more than a coach and broadcaster -- he was family," Titans controlling owner Amy Adams Strunk said.

"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. 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 leaves behind."

McGinnis coached in the NFL from 1986 to 2016. He served as linebackers coach for the Chicago Bears, defensive coordinator, then head coach of the Arizona Cardinals, linebackers coach for the Titans and assistant head coach for the St. Louis/Los Angeles Rams.

During his NFL career, McGinnis coached eight Hall of Fame players. While with the Cardinals, McGinnis coached former NFL safety Pat Tillman, who stopped playing football to enlist in the United States Army Special Operations in 2002 after the Sept. 11 attacks. Tillman died in Afghanistan in 2004.

McGinnis began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at TCU in 1973. He entered the NFL coaching ranks in 1986 with the Bears, where he spent the next 10 seasons.

McGinnis returned to Nashville after his coaching career in 2017 to join Titans Radio. He was also a color analyst for Titans games.

McGinnis' impact was felt by former and current players. It wasn't unusual for players to seek coaching from McGinnis. He was also a valuable resource for the coaching staff and connected to so many people within the Titans' organization.

"I love Dave McGinnis, and I don't know that I've met anybody who was created for football, and a football life, more than Coach Mac," said Burke Nihill, president and CEO of the Titans. "He just loved the game. Obviously, he played it for a long time and coached it for longer, and with everything he has done for us over the years as color commentator and a Titans personality. He lived such a special football life. He was such a special guy.

"Much more than his love for the game, I just so appreciated being around the man because he was always so positive, so optimistic, and he always left everybody feeling better about themselves," Nihill added. "He's been around my family, he's been around our fans and our partners, and he just always made you feel like you were the most important person in the world.

"He had this unique gift of investing in people through his time and attention and conversations. He was one of one."

According to the release, McGinnis was given his last rites by a Catholic priest Monday morning, and died in the afternoon with his family by his side.