26 Facts About Jim Fassel

James Edward Fassel was an American college and professional football player and coach.

Jim Fassel was the head coach of the New York Giants of the National Football League from 1997 to 2003.

Jim Fassel was offensive coordinator of other NFL teams, and as head coach, general manager, and president of the Las Vegas Locomotives of the United Football League.

In college, Jim Fassel played quarterback at Fullerton College, USC, and Long Beach State.

Jim Fassel was drafted as a quarterback in the 7th round by Chicago in the 1972 NFL draft and had a short playing career with the Bears, San Diego Chargers, and Houston Oilers in 1972.

Jim Fassel played briefly with The Hawaiians of the WFL in 1974, and became an assistant coach during the 1974 WFL season.

Jim Fassel left the WFL after the '74 season, but briefly returned when the Hawaiians needed a quarterback late in the 1975 season.

Jim Fassel played in the final game of the WFL for the Hawaiians, throwing the last pass in the league's history as the WFL folded three days later on October 22,1975.

Jim Fassel then began his college coaching career with stints at the University of Utah, Weber State and Stanford University, where he worked with John Elway.

Jim Fassel originally coached with the Giants as an assistant in 1991 and 1992.

Young hired Jim Fassel, narrowly avoiding a call to bring back Parcells.

Jim Fassel was hired as the head coach of the New York Giants, starting with the 1997 season, and remained in that position for seven years.

Jim Fassel agreed and insisted that the team use its goodwill to help the recovery effort and provide assistance to the FDNY, NYPD and the City of New York.

Jim Fassel joined the Ravens as an offensive consultant in 2004 to help with development of Kyle Boller.

Critics of Jim Fassel pointed to his lack of success as offensive coordinator after two seasons with the Ravens, in 2005 and part of 2006.

On October 17,2006, Jim Fassel was fired by the Ravens.

In January 2009, Jim Fassel was named coach of the Las Vegas entrant into the United Football League.

Jim Fassel returned to the Locos in 2010 and helped lead the team to repeat as champions, again defeating the Tuskers in the 2010 UFL Championship Game.

Jim Fassel was the only current UFL head coach who was active in the league since its inauguration and was the Locos' head coach when the league suspended play in 2012.

Jim Fassel entered broadcasting following his firing as offensive coordinator for the Ravens, joining Westwood One radio as a color commentator for its Sunday NFL action.

Jim Fassel stayed with the network for two seasons, calling Sunday afternoon games with Harry Kalas in 2007 and Sunday Night Football with Dave Sims.

Jim Fassel was part of Westwood One's playoff coverage those two years, calling various games, and worked the 2007 and 2008 NFC Championship Games with Bill Rosinski and Marv Albert.

Jim Fassel met his wife Kitty when they were 17-year-old college freshmen in 1967.

Jim Fassel was at Fullerton Community College, while Kitty was a student at Cal-State Fullerton.

Jim Fassel was good friends with fellow coach Mike Holmgren, dating to their days as USC quarterbacks.

Jim Fassel died of a heart attack on June 7,2021, in Las Vegas, Nevada.