Former Arizona Cardinals head coach and defensive coordinator Dave McGinnis died of an illness on Monday at the age of 74.
McGinnis led the Cardinals from 2000-03, ending his Arizona tenure with the unforgettable last-second win to eliminate the Minnesota Vikings on Dec. 28, 2003.
Quarterback Josh McCown found wide receiver Nate Poole in the end zone for the win, and in the locker room after the game, McGinnis’ emotional speech became renowned.
“This was a tremendous, tremendous demonstration of men that not only love each other but believed, believed, believed. I’ll never, ever give up on you. I love you,” McGinnis said to his players.
McGinnis took over head coaching duties during the 2000 season, as he previously served as the defensive coordinator since 1996 under Vince Tobin. McGinnis coached Pat Tillman during his four-year NFL career before Tillman joined the army. He was also on the sidelines for the Cardinals’ 1998 playoff berth and wild card round win over the Dallas Cowboys.
In McGinnis’ head coaching tenure, the Cardinals went 7-9 in 2001, 5-11 in 2002 and 4-12 in 2003.
“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. “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 and everything — and everyone — associated with it, especially his players. He was one of a kind and will be greatly missed.”
Just heard about the passing of Dave McGinnis my 1st head coach with the @AZCardinals. 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 !!!!
— Adrian Wilson (@adrian_wilson24) April 13, 2026
McGinnis became a linebackers coach for the Tennessee Titans from 2004-11 and then assistant head coach of the St. Louis/Los Angeles Rams from 2012-2016. McGinnis had been working as a broadcaster for the Titans since 2017 before his death.
Titans reporter Jim Wyatt wrote that McGinnis had been hospitalized since March 4 and received visits from coaches and players from his three-decade NFL coaching career.
“Even in the hospital, people would stop by to see him, and he would ask about their families, their grandkids, even when he could barely speak. He made a big impact on so many people,” former Titans head coach Jeff Fisher told Wyatt.
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— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) April 13, 2026
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