The news around the NFL turned serious this week. Longtime coach Dave McGinnis passed away at 74 after dealing with health issues in recent weeks. He had been in the hospital since early March.

His passing now shifts focus to the long coaching career he built over the years. McGinnis entered the NFL in 1986 as a linebackers coach with the Chicago Bears. He built his career step by step over the years.

He later became the Arizona Cardinals’ defensive coordinator in 1996 before taking over as head coach in 2000.

His time as head coach ran through the 2003 season. While the results were mixed, his work with players and his approach to the game earned him respect across the locker room.

After that, he joined the Tennessee Titans in 2004 as a linebackers coach and stayed with the team until 2011. He then moved with Jeff Fisher to the Rams, where he served as assistant head coach from 2012 to 2016.

Even after stepping away from coaching, McGinnis stayed close to football by joining the Titans’ radio team in 2017, where fans got to hear his views on the game for several seasons.

More than anything, McGinnis was known for how he connected with people. Players often spoke about how he supported them, not just on the field but off it as well.

That is why the reaction to his passing has been so emotional across the league, as many now look back at the impact he had during his long career.

NFL World Reacts to Coach Mac’s Passing

As the news spread, voices from around the league shared their thoughts on McGinnis and what he meant to them. Many pointed to his love for the game and the way he treated people.

Michael Bidwell, the owner of the Arizona Cardinals, shared a message via the Arizona Cardinals website, saying:

"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. He was one of a kind and will be greatly missed.”

Titans CEO Burke Nihill also spoke about his connection with McGinnis.

“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.”

That’s how a lot of people around the league saw him. McGinnis left behind more than just a long career. The way he carried himself around the game is something many won’t forget.

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Written by

Anjali Thakur

Edited by

Zaid Quraishi