He served as the head football coach at San Diego State University from 1989 to 1993, compiling a record of 31–25–3.
At the end of his career, Luginbill was the head coach for three professional teams: the Amsterdam Admirals of NFL Europe from 1995 to 2000, the Los Angeles Xtreme of the XFL in 2001, and the Detroit Fury of the Arena Football League (AFL) in 2003.
Luginbill remained as a coach at ASU until 1984, when he left to enter the athletic administration at San Diego State University.
Luginbill served as head coach and general manager for the Detroit Fury of the Arena Football League in 2003.
Luginbill and his wife, Susan, are the parents of twins, a daughter, Kerry, and a son, Tom, who is a college football analyst for ESPN.