NFL: Ex-NFL coach Heimerdinger mourned

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Mike Heimerdinger, 58, a veteran assistant coach in the NFL who directed high-powered offenses and developed quarterbacks such as Steve McNair, Jay Cutler, and Vince Young, died Friday.

The Tennessee Titans confirmed Mr. Heimerdinger's death after talking with his family. He died while in Mexico to receive experimental treatments for a rare form of cancer. He was offensive coordinator for the Titans when his cancer was diagnosed in November 2010.

"Mike approached cancer with the same vigor and tenacity that he approached any football game - to win," Heimerdinger's wife, Kathie, said in a statement. "Even in the final minutes, he never gave up - that was our Dinger. He was a deeply devoted husband and father, loving son and brother, loyal friend, and committed coach who loved the game and life."

Heimerdinger began chemotherapy treatment five days after the diagnosis, which came a day before Thanksgiving 2010.

Heimerdinger made a trip to Houston with the team for that Sunday's game and was greeted on the field before the game by his son, then an intern with the Texans.

He maintained his duties for the rest of the season but was fired in February, one day after Mike Munchak succeeded Jeff Fisher as Titans coach.