Jim Fassel has died of a heart attack at the age of 71 (via the Los Angeles Times). Fassel coached in the NFL from 1991 through 2006 and is known best for his time with the Giants.
Fassel broke into the pro ranks with the Giants and became one of three head coaches in franchise history to lead the team to a Super Bowl. In 1997, his first year as the Giants’ head coach, Fassel was named the NFL’s Coach of the Year. From 97 through ’03, Fassel guided the Giants to three playoff appearances. All in all, Fassel went 58-53-1 as the Giants’ HC.
After his first Giants stint, Fassel served as the Broncos’ offensive coordinator (1993-1994), Raiders’ quarterbacks coach (1995) and Cardinals’ OC (1996). Then, after his six-year run as the Giants’ head coach, he spent three years with the Ravens, including two as their OC. Fassel’s last coaching position was with the Las Vegas Locomotives of the United Football League. The UFL ceased in 2012, but Fassel continued to live in Vegas throughout his golden years.
Although Fassel fell short of a ring during his six-year tenure as head coach, he’ll be fondly remembered for igniting the 2000 Giants in the face of critics.
“This is a poker game, and I’m shoving my chips to the middle of the table,” Fassel told reporters in November of that year. “I’m raising the ante, and anybody who wants in, get in. Anybody who wants out can get out.”
RIP Mr. Fassel
Always liked Fassel…never understood how he didn’t get another head coaching job in the nfl. RIP.
Made the Giants respectable.
RIP. Jim Fassel. I’m so sorry to hear this news. My condolences to the family.
RIP Coach
Always liked him, always thought he was underrated. If memory serves, Albany, NY kept the Giants training camp as long as it did because of him; he appreciated the distance between camp and the players’ families.
I think you’re correct. I used to go to training camp every summer. It was super cool to see the players up close, especially Strahan, Tiki Barber (who signed autographs for everyone), Toomer, Collins, etc.
Turned Kerry Collins around, always felt like he was an underrated coach. He got a lot out of those giants teams.
I was sorry to read this, this morning
he was a good coach, but it blew up on him when he lost to the 49ers after that big lead
He never was the same again
May he RIP
RIP would of been a Super Bowl winning coach if the Giants didn’t face one of the Greatest Defenses ever assembled.
I forgot he got the Super Bowl and had to face that in its Prime Defense and Trent Dilfer =)
RIP Coach.