McGinnis graduated from
Snyder High School in
Snyder, Texas. He was a three-year starter as a defensive back for the
Horned Frogs at
Texas Christian University, where he graduated in 1973 with a degree in
business management. McGinnis spent 13 years coaching in college football, at Texas Christian University (1973–74, '82), Missouri (1975–77), Indiana State (1978, 1980–81) and Kansas State (1983–85). From 1986 to 1995, McGinnis was the
linebackers coach for the
Chicago Bears, the
defensive coordinator for the
Arizona Cardinals from 1996 to 2000, and
head coach of the
Arizona Cardinals from 2000 to 2003. He was the assistant head coach/linebackers coach for the
Tennessee Titans in 2004. In 2017, McGinnis replaced
Frank Wycheck as the color analyst on the
Tennessee Titans Radio Network. McGinnis died on April 13, 2026, at the age of 74 in
Nashville. ==Chicago Bears controversy==