Jim Fassel
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jim Fassel (born August 31, 1949 in Anaheim, California) is a former NFL head coach of the New York Giants and a former offensive coordinator of the Baltimore Ravens.
Contents |
[edit] Professional career
Fassel began his career with assistant coaching stints at Utah State University and Stanford University, working with John Elway at Stanford. He also served as head coach of the University of Utah.
Fassel has a long record of offensive success. He tutored prominent quarterbacks Phil Simms and John Elway. Prior to becoming New York Giants head coach, Fassel served as an assistant coach with the Arizona Cardinals, Denver Broncos, New York Giants, and Oakland Raiders.
[edit] New York Giants
During Fassel's time as Giants head coach, his teams were known for numerous post-season runs in December and for winning big games, such as against the previously undefeated Denver Broncos in 1998. In 1997, he was named NFL coach of the year. He resurrected the career of quarterback Kerry Collins and received acclaim for his "playoff guarantee" in the 2000 season, during which he led the Giants to an improbable Super Bowl appearance.
However, his legacy as head coach for the Giants is mixed. Fassel's Giants were known for their disappointments against inferior teams in the regular season, as well as in the playoffs. The most notable loss was a shocking 39-38 loss to the San Francisco 49ers in the 2002 postseason, in which they blew a 38-14 third quarter lead. During the 2003 season, injuries decimated the Giants and he was fired amidst some controversy.
While coaching for the Giants, Fassel resided in Ho-Ho-Kus, New Jersey.[1]
[edit] Baltimore Ravens
Critics of Fassel have pointed to his lack of success after two seasons with the Ravens, in 2004 and 2005. During that time, the Ravens ranked near the bottom of the league in offense.
On October 17, 2006 it was announced that Fassel was fired from his post of Offensive Coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens.[2]
[edit] Washington Redskins
On January 23, 2008, it was reported in Newsday.com that Jim Fassel was the leading candidate for the Washington Redskins' head-coaching position which opened up as a result of Joe Gibbs' retirement for the second time in that position. However, on February 9, 2008, Jim Zorn was hired as the new Redskins' head coach.
It is believed that Fassel was also in contention for the position in 2004, but when Gibbs agreed to come out of retirement, team owner Dan Snyder hired the Hall of Fame three-time Super Bowl winner. Fassel was shortly after turned down by the Redskins.[3]
[edit] Broadcasting
Fassel currently serves as a color commentator on NFL game broadcasts for Westwood One radio.
[edit] College career
Fassel played quarterback at California State University, Long Beach after playing at USC in 1969. He was drafted in the 7th round by the Chicago Bears in the 1972 NFL draft. He played with The Hawaiians of the WFL in 1974.
[edit] Head coaching record
[edit] College
| Year | Team | Overall | Conference | Standing | Bowl | Rank# | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Utah Utes (Western Athletic Conference) (1985 – 1989) | |||||||||
| 1985 | Utah | 8-4 | 5-3 | 3rd | |||||
| 1986 | Utah | 2-9 | 1-7 | 9th | |||||
| 1987 | Utah | 5-7 | 2-6 | 7th | |||||
| 1988 | Utah | 6-5 | 4-4 | 5th | |||||
| 1989 | Utah | 4-8 | 2-6 | 7th | |||||
| Utah: | 25-33 | 14-26 | |||||||
| Total: | 25-33 | ||||||||
| National Championship Conference Title Conference Division Title | |||||||||
| †Indicates BCS bowl game. #Rankings from final Coaches Poll of the season. | |||||||||
[edit] Professional
| Team | Year | Regular Season | Post Season | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Won | Lost | Ties | Win % | Finish | Won | Lost | Win % | Result | ||
| NYG | 1997 | 10 | 5 | 1 | .656 | 1st in NFC East | 0 | 1 | .000 | Lost to Minnesota Vikings in Wild Card Round. |
| NYG | 1998 | 8 | 8 | 0 | .500 | 3rd in NFC East | - | - | - | - |
| NYG | 1999 | 7 | 9 | 0 | .438 | 3rd in NFC East | - | - | - | - |
| NYG | 2000 | 12 | 4 | 0 | .750 | 1st in NFC East | 2 | 1 | .667 | Lost to Baltimore Ravens in Super Bowl XXXV. |
| NYG | 2001 | 7 | 9 | 0 | .438 | 3rd in NFC East | - | - | - | - |
| NYG | 2002 | 10 | 6 | 0 | .625 | 2nd in NFC East | 0 | 1 | .000 | Lost to San Francisco 49ers in Wild Card Round. |
| NYG | 2003 | 4 | 12 | 0 | .250 | 4th in NFC East | - | - | - | - |
| Giants' Total | 58 | 53 | 1 | .522 | 2 | 3 | .400 | - | ||
| Total | 58 | 53 | 1 | .522 | 2 | 3 | .400 | - | ||
[edit] Personal life
Before the 2003 NFL season, Fassel was reunited with a son, John Mathieson, whom he and his wife Kitty gave up for adoption in 1969. The couple was unmarried when he was born.
In 2004 and 2005, Jim and Kitty Fassel owned a Quiznos restaurant in Denville, New Jersey. Their son Brian was in charge of day to day operations. The store was sold in April 2005 but still remains open.
[edit] References
- ^ Anderson, Dave. "Sports of The Times; Fassel's Finished Basement", The New York Times, March 2, 2001. Accessed November 2, 2007. "Maybe that explains how the Fassels celebrated when he returned to their Ho-Ho-Kus, N.J., home on Tuesday with a four-year, $10.75 million contract -- a guarantee that they will be living at the same address for at least eight years, their longest consecutive residence."
- ^ Ravens fire offensive coordinator Jim Fassel - USATODAY.com
- ^ [http://www.newsday.com/sports/football/ny-spnfl235548456jan23,0,1408483.story
[edit] See also
| Preceded by Matt Cavanaugh |
Baltimore Ravens Offensive Coordinator 2004-Oct. 2006 |
Succeeded by Brian Billick |
| Preceded by Dan Reeves |
New York Giants Head Coaches 1997–2003 |
Succeeded by Tom Coughlin |
| Preceded by Chuck Stobart |
University of Utah Head Football Coach 1985–1989 |
Succeeded by Ron McBride |
|
|||||
|
|||||
|
|||||
