Former Cardinals Head Coach Dies at 74...

Longtime NFL coach Dave McGinnis, who guided the Arizona Cardinals for three and a half seasons before transitioning into a career in media, died April 13. He was 74. "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. More news: Former Broncos, Chargers Quarterback Dies "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." After his four seasons in Arizona, McGinnis was the assistant head coach of the St. Louis/Los Angeles Rams from 2012-16. He also held a variety of position and coordinator roles in the NFL and college, beginning with his time as a graduate assistant at TCU in 1973. "The Rams are saddened by the passing of former assistant head coach Dave McGinnis," the team said in a post to its official X account. "Our sincere condolences are with his family and friends during this difficult time." McGinnis went 17-40 as the Cardinals' head coach after taking over for Vince Tobin, who was fired in October 2001 with the team off to a 2-5 start. Initially appointed interim head coach, McGinnis' interim tag was removed after the season. It was the second time McGinnis was announced as a head coach in the NFL; the first instance was incorrect. On January 22, 1999, McGinnis was announced in a press release as the 12th head coach in Chicago Bears history. Just one problem: he hadn't agreed to a contract. More news: Four-Year NFL Veteran Tragically Dies in Car Accident at 30 Bears chairman Ed McCaskey reportedly made a telephone plea to McGinnis from Florida in an attempt to salvage a franchise disaster, but McGinnis rejected the team's final offer, hurt by what he called “a lack of integrity in the process.” McGinnis returned to the Cardinals, where he was the team's defensive coordinator. He did not have to wait long for his first — and ultimately only — head coaching gig in the NFL. More news: Cause of Death Revealed for Former Bengals Running Back, 6-Year NFL Veteran After his tenure in Arizona ended, McGinnis went to work as the Tennessee Titans' linebackers coach from 2004-11. He held the same position with the Bears from 1986-95 before becoming Arizona's defensive coordinator. McGinnis was a three-year starter as a defensive back at TCU, where he graduated in 1973 with a degree in business management. Born in Independence, Kansas, McGinnis also coached collegiately at Missouri (1975-77), Indiana State (1978, ‘80-81) and Kansas State (1983-85). McGinnis' last job in the NFL was as the Tennessee Titans' radio analyst from 2017-25. For more NFL news, visit Newsweek Sports.