A heart attack claimed the life of former NFL coach Jim Fassel on Monday. I'm not sure how much you can really say about the 71 year old's legacy altogether. For an emphasis on offense, he found himself in situations that anyone would have given up. It is also a little surprising he never got a second head coach opportunity in the NFL given today's pass happy approach. But it all has to begin back 30 years ago.
Stats from Pro Football Reference don't lie. Fassel was a quarterback coach in 1991 with the New York Giants. A fight for whether Phil Simms or Jeff Hostetler would be the number one guy. Upgrade to offensive coordinator in 92. Gave Rodney Hampton his best year rushing at the time and had four quarterbacks start. A move to Denver a year later. Gave John Elway his best year in yards thrown and a run game that could score despite yards rushing not being like the Giants. Got good stuff out of Arizona in 96 with the passing game but low tiered rushing. With Baltimore from 2004 through 06, it wasn't pretty, but he did get good use of Steve McNair and Jamal Lewis in 06.
If you're going to remember him, it will mostly be his time as the Giant coach from 1997 through 2003. Keep in mind the franchise had been struggling since their Super Bowl win. One playoff year since, but also the changing of the guard. A lot of fresh faces and very young vets. The defense performed well under John Fox's schemes and a consistent ground game put the team atop of the NFC East in 97. But QB issues hampered a bit with 1999 being bad offensively in both facets despite a 7 and 9 record. Sean Payton becomes the offensive coordinator in 2000. They stick to Kerry Collins, who was there the year prior, and revitalize his sagging career. Tiki Barber is given proper usage. The Giants do well to begin the season and go 7 and 2 to start.
Two straight losses lead to the press conference of Fassel and his biggest moment. The claim of going to the playoffs led to a resurgence. End the season 12 and 4. Beat Philadelphia and shut out Minnesota to a Super Bowl, losing to the Baltimore Ravens. A down year for 01, rebounding in 02 and one of the biggest referee screw ups in the playoffs. Payton leaves and the team implodes in 2003. Fassel is gone after the season is over.
Fassel's overall record is 58-53-1. It is a bit of a shock he never got a chance to coach again in the NFL. Maybe the way offenses changed over the years dictated where the league was going? Teams wanting a revival possibly liking ideas he may have? Regardless, he put his name on the league and did things that would lead to future success in Denver and New York. He may not have won it all, but it carved a path for his successors to win Super Bowls.
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