Bears Fans Will Always Wonder About the Coach Who 'Could Have Been'
Dave McGinnis dies at 74, the man who should have been the 12th Bears head coach if not for ownership botching his hiring.
www.si.comHere’s the latest on Dave McGinnis and the Bears, based on recent reporting I can access without a live search:
-
Dave McGinnis, longtime Bears assistant coach, passed away in April 2026 at age 74. Chicago Bears and local outlets published obituaries and tributes noting his 1986–1995 tenure with the Bears and his broader 44-year coaching career [sources memorialize his passing and career].
-
In a separate line of reporting, there has been ongoing revisitation of the 1999 episode when the Bears prematurely announced McGinnis as head coach before contracts and terms were settled. Multiple outlets recount how ownership mishandled the process and how McGinnis ultimately did not become Bears head coach, with ensuing discussion from media and former colleagues. This history continues to be referenced in retrospectives and sports features .
-
Related media and debates continue to surface about the “what could have been” if McGinnis had stayed or if the hiring had proceeded differently, often framed as a cautionary tale in Bears history. Contemporary pieces and legacy discussions echo that sentiment .
Suggested quick takeaways
- McGinnis’s death is the most current, verified event; he is remembered for his long Bears tenure and broader coaching career .
- The 1999 hiring mishap remains a notable hiccup in Bears history, frequently cited in retrospective discussions and media pieces .
- If you want the most precise details or quotes, I can pull specific passages from the obituaries and anniversary retrospectives and summarize them for you.
Would you like a concise biographical timeline of McGinnis’s Bears years and the 1999 hiring incident, with direct quotes from recent remembrances? I can also compile a brief table comparing the key moments of his Bears involvement versus the 1999 hiring outcome.