McGinnis could join Titans staff

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/column...len&id=1721943


By Len Pasquarelli
ESPN.com

Former Cardinals coach Dave McGinnis, fired the day after Arizona completed a 4-12 season, is seriously considering an offer from the Titans to become their assistant head coach and linebackers coach, ESPN.com has learned.

If McGinnis accepts the offer, made by Titans head coach Jeff Fisher earlier this week, he will essentially replace Gunther Cunningham as linebackers coach. Cunningham last week left the Titans to become defensive coordinator of the Kansas City Chiefs.


There was speculation Wednesday that McGinnis, one of the NFL's best defensive minds, was in Oakland to interview for the coordinator post. McGinnis has had feelers from Raiders officials and he clearly could interview for the job if he so desired.


McGinnis is said to be mulling both options, but a timetable likely will be imposed on him to make a decision; Fisher would like an answer soon. The pursuit of McGinnis is not surprising, given his expertise and the fact that Fisher is established and not threatened by the potential presence of a former head coach on his staff.


In three full seasons and part of a fourth, the 52-year-old McGinnis was 17-40 as Arizona's coach. His best season was 2001 (7-9). McGinnis, who has 18 seasons of NFL coaching experience, was replaced by Dennis Green.


Len Pasquarelli is a senior NFL writer for ESPN.com.

Raiders are also interested in McGinnis...



Raiders pursuing ex-Arizona coach
By Steve Corkran
CONTRA COSTA TIMES

NFL notes

The Raiders are exploring the possibility of hiring former Arizona Cardinals head coach and defensive coordinator Dave McGinnis as their defensive coordinator, a person in Oakland's front office said Thursday.

McGinnis was fired as coach of the Cardinals after last season's 4-12 finish. He still has one year left on his contract but reportedly wants to join another team's staff for next season.

The Tennessee Titans reportedly are considering McGinnis for their vacancy at linebackers coach and are waiting to see if McGinnis signs with the Raiders.

He is regarded as a top-notch defensive coordinator, a role he held with the Cardinals from 1996-2000 before being promoted to coach.

Raiders defensive coordinator Chuck Bresnahan is under contract through next season, but he isn't in their plans to remain in the post he has held the past four seasons, judging by remarks made by managing general partner Al Davis and coach Norv Turner in the past two weeks.

In other news, the Raiders signed quarterback Bret Engemann, running back Chris Downs, wide receiver James Adkisson, tight end David Newman, guards Pete Campion and Todd Wike, defensive ends Bobby Setzer and David Nugent, defensive tackle Ron Moore, linebackers Donny Green and Robert Chapman and defensive back Keith Burnell. All except Adkisson, Burnell and Green were allocated to NFL Europe.

Setzer appeared in 15 games for the 49ers in the 2001 season, including one playoff game. A Walnut Creek native, Setzer played defensive line and linebacker for two seasons at California High School before moving to be with his father in Kelso, Wash.

BROWNS: Ron Wolf was hired as a personnel specialist for Cleveland, giving the team some much-needed NFL experience in its personnel department. Wolf was the Packers general manager for 11 years before retiring after the 2001 season. He served as a consultant for the Packers the last two years.

-- Associated Press

FALCONS: Jeff Jagodzinski was hired as tight ends coach. He joins the Falcons after being fired Jan. 16 by Green Bay, where he served as tight ends coach for five years.

-- Associated Press

[Titania]

McGinnis was hired by the Titans...

I'm happy with that.

[McMullen11]

yes that was a great move for the titans.