The Arizona Cardinals have lost one of their own Monday afternoon.
Former Cardinals head coach Dave McGinnis passed away earlier Monday afternoon at the age of 74, according to the Tennessee Titans’ social media pages.
“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 X page wrote.
McGinnis was a long-time coach in the NFL and college. But beyond that, he was a great human being.
This heartbreaking announcement led to an outpouring of messages from former teams, players and journalists alike.
Reactions to Former Arizona Cardinals Coach Dave McGinnis’ Passing
Many in the NFL community shared their sympathies with the McGinnis family, highlighting his influence beyond the game of football.
Former Cardinals safety Adrian Wilson, who played under McGinnis from 2001 to 2003, shared his thoughts. Wilson played his first three seasons under McGinnis.
“Just heard about the passing of Dave McGinnis my 1st head coach with the @AZCardinals,” Wilson tweeted. “The first time I ever heard player coach was with him and had no clue what it meant but understand it deeply now. Condolences to his family and all he’s ever touched. Thank you Coach Mac!!!!”
Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill made a statement on McGinnis’ passing as well.
“We were deeply saddened to learn of Dave McGinnis’ passing and extend our heartfelt condolences to all who knew and loved him,” Bidwill said. “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 of football and everything — and everyone — associated with it, especially his players. He was one of a kind and will be greatly missed.”
In addition, retired columnist for the Arizona Republic, Kent Somers, gave his thoughts on the great man that was McGinnis.
“Remember covering a gut-wrenching loss by Cards when Dave McGinnis was HC,” Somers tweeted. “I’m leaving the locker room after and Mac, just out of the shower and in a towel, waves me over asks how my son’s high school did Friday night. Who does that?”
More on McGinnis’ Career
McGinnis was in the world of football for over four decades as a coach, starting in the college ranks in 1973.
His first NFL coaching job came in 1986 with the Chicago Bears as a linebackers coach. He would stay at that position with the Bears until after the 1995 season.
Then, he would go to Arizona, where he would be the defensive coordinator from 1996 to 2000, where he would become an interim head coach after the firing of Vince Tobin.
While he would go 1-8 in 2000, he garnered the respect of players and journalists alike in his pursuit to win.
He would be the head coach of the Cardinals from 2000 to 2003, going 17-40 in his four seasons.
However, his 4-12 record in 2003 allowed Arizona to take franchise legend Larry Fitzgerald No. 3 overall in the 2004 NFL Draft.
After that, McGinnis would spend time coaching with the Titans and St. Louis/Los Angeles Rams as a linebackers coach, retiring after the 2016 season.
But he still wanted to be around the game, becoming the Titans’ radio color analyst in 2017.
McGinnis will be sorely missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him.
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