Dave McGinnis, ex-Cardinals coach, NFL assistant, dies

McGinnis, who had been in declining health, died at Ascension St. Thomas Midtown Hospital with his family at his side, according to the Tennessee Titans. He had been the Titans’ color commentator on game broadcasts since 2017 and was a constant presence on radio shows and team podcasts.

McGinnis went 17-40 for the Cardinals from 2000 to 2003, earning the job after nearly five seasons as defensive coordinator. He also helped the Cardinals’ push for their current stadium before being fired following a 4-12 record in 2003. That was despite a breakout season from receiver Anquan Boldin as the AP’s Offensive Rookie of the Year.

A respected defensive mind, McGinnis began his NFL career with the Chicago Bears in 1986 as 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.

After he left the Cardinals in 2003, McGinnis was hired as the linebackers coach for the Tennessee Titans under coach Jeff Fisher. He stayed in that role — eventually being promoted to assistant head coach — until 2011.

McGinnis followed Fisher to the St. Louis Rams in 2012, where he worked until 2016 as assistant head coach before turning to being a broadcaster with the Titans.