Former Cardinals head coach, Titans assistant McGinnis dies - ESPN

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Former Tennessee assistant coach Dave McGinnis, who also served as head coach for the Arizona Cardinals in a decorated career on the NFL sidelines, died at 74 on Monday, the Titans announced.

McGinnis, affectionately known around league circles as «Coach Mac,» had been hospitalized because of an illness since early March.

«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.

McGinnis went 17-40 for the Cardinals from 2000 to 2003, earning the head coaching 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. The dismissal occurred despite a breakout season from receiver Anquan Boldin, who was named the AP's Offensive Rookie of the Year.

Arizona owner Michael Bidwell said in a statement that the Cardinals were deeply saddened to hear of McGinnis' death.

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

«Coach Mac gave so much of himself to this organization over the years, and his passion, loyalty and love for the Titans never wavered,» Strunk said. «He cared deeply about the people around him, and that kindness