Rams assistant McGinnis enthusiastic about rejoining Fisher

ST. LOUIS -- St. Louis Rams assistant coach Dave McGinnis had a one-year contract last year with Tennessee, just in case there was a chance he could be reunited with Jeff Fisher.

McGinnis, who worked under Fisher for seven seasons with the Titans, was hired last week as part of a Rams staff rich with experience. He and defensive coordinator Gregg Williams are former NFL coaches who will try to rebuild a franchise with just 10 victories over the last three seasons.

Fisher was hired last month after sitting out last season. McGinnis, like Williams, said that when Fisher called about the Rams job, he didn't hesitate to say yes.

"It was instantaneous," McGinnis said. "If Jeff wanted me to be with him, I wanted to be with him."

The 60-year-old McGinnis was senior assistant coach with the Titans last year, frequently acting as a sounding board for first-year coach Mike Munchak. He also helped with administrative duties and in personnel evaluation in the offseason.

"Once you're in that chair, there's so many things that come up that you're not prepared for," McGinnis said. "You really have to put your high beams on as a head coach."

McGinnis was linebackers coach for seven years under Fisher in Tennessee, and assistant coach for six of those seasons. He said he had other opportunities after getting fired as Cardinals coach in 2003 but chose to work with Fisher.

"He gets it on every level that a head coach needs to get it," McGinnis said. "The players absolutely love playing for him. Coaches in this league want to work for Jeff Fisher. When you're around him, it's palpable."

Both Williams and McGinnis have Missouri roots. Williams was a prep coach in Missouri before playing quarterback for Northeast Missouri State.

McGinnis coached at Missouri from 1976 to 1981, and he has family in Kansas City and Manhattan, Kan.