History of Jim Fassel in Timeline
"Jim" Fassel was a prominent figure in American football, serving as both a player and coach. He is best known for his tenure as head coach of the New York Giants from 1997 to 2003. Beyond the Giants, he held various coaching and executive positions within the NFL and the United Football League (UFL), showcasing his multifaceted expertise in the sport.
August 31, 1949: Birth of Jim Fassel
Jim Fassel was born on August 31, 1949.
1967: Jim Fassel Meets His Future Wife, Kitty
Jim Fassel first met Kitty, his future wife, in 1967 while they were college freshmen.
April 1969: Jim and Kitty Fassel Place Their Son for Adoption
In April 1969, Jim and Kitty Fassel made the difficult decision to place their son for adoption.
1971: Jim and Kitty Fassel Get Married
Jim and Kitty Fassel were married in 1971.
1972: Jim Fassel's NFL Draft and Short Playing Career
In 1972, Jim Fassel was drafted by the Chicago Bears and had a brief playing career in the NFL.
1974: Jim Fassel's Time with The Hawaiians
Jim Fassel played for and coached The Hawaiians in the World Football League in 1974.
1974: Jim Fassel's First Professional Coaching Job
Jim Fassel's first professional coaching experience was with The Hawaiians in 1974.
October 22, 1975: Jim Fassel Throws Last Pass in WFL History
On October 22, 1975, Jim Fassel threw the final pass in the World Football League before it folded.
November 30, 1984: Jim Fassel Named Head Football Coach at the University of Utah
Jim Fassel was appointed as the head football coach at the University of Utah on November 30, 1984.
1991: Jim Fassel Joins the Giants as an Assistant Coach
Jim Fassel began working with the Giants as an assistant coach in 1991.
1992: Jim Fassel Becomes Offensive Coordinator for the Giants
Jim Fassel was promoted to the position of offensive coordinator for the Giants in 1992.
1996: Dan Reeves Departs as Coach of the Giants
Dan Reeves left his role as coach of the Giants in 1996, leading to the consideration of Jim Fassel as his replacement.
1997: Jim Fassel Named NFL Coach of the Year
Jim Fassel earned the NFL Coach of the Year award in 1997 after a successful turnaround season with the Giants.
1997: Jim Fassel Becomes Head Coach of the New York Giants
Jim Fassel was hired as the head coach of the New York Giants in 1997.
1997: Jim Fassel's Tenure as Head Coach of the New York Giants Begins
Jim Fassel's time as the head coach of the New York Giants commenced in 1997.
1998: Giants Hand Denver Broncos Their First Loss of the Season
In 1998, the Giants, under Jim Fassel's leadership, defeated the Denver Broncos, ending their undefeated streak.
2000: Jim Fassel's "Playoff Guarantee" and NFC Championship Run
In 2000, Jim Fassel famously guaranteed the Giants would make the playoffs, which they did, eventually reaching the NFC Championship.
2000: Jim Fassel's Famous Playoff Speech
In 2000, Jim Fassel gave a motivational speech predicting the Giants' playoff berth, which sparked a successful run for the team.
2002: Giants Suffer Loss to 49ers in the Playoffs
The Giants, led by Jim Fassel, experienced a disappointing loss to the San Francisco 49ers in the 2002 playoffs.
2003: Jim Fassel Announces Resignation as Head Coach of the Giants
In 2003, Jim Fassel announced his resignation as the head coach of the Giants, effective at the end of the season.
2003: The Fassels Reunite with Their Adopted Son
In 2003, the Fassels were reunited with their son whom they had placed for adoption many years earlier.
2003: End of Jim Fassel's Tenure with the New York Giants
Jim Fassel's time as head coach of the New York Giants ended in 2003.
2004: Jim Fassel Joins the Ravens as an Offensive Consultant
Jim Fassel joined the Baltimore Ravens as an offensive consultant in 2004.
2005: Jim Fassel Becomes Offensive Coordinator for the Ravens
In 2005, Jim Fassel took on the role of offensive coordinator for the Ravens.
October 17, 2006: Jim Fassel Fired by the Ravens
On October 17, 2006, Jim Fassel was let go from his position with the Ravens.
2006: Jim and Kitty Fassel's Divorce and Reconciliation
In 2006, Jim and Kitty Fassel decided to divorce after trying to work through their issues in counseling. They later reconciled and remarried. In addition to a son from their teenage years, they had four more children (three sons and a daughter) during their marriage.
2006: Criticism of Jim Fassel's Performance as Offensive Coordinator
Jim Fassel faced criticism for the Ravens' offensive struggles during his time as offensive coordinator, particularly in 2006.
2007: Jim Fassel Joins Westwood One Radio as a Color Commentator
Jim Fassel embarked on a broadcasting career with Westwood One radio as a color commentator for NFL games in 2007.
2008: Jim Fassel Continues Broadcasting Career with Westwood One
Jim Fassel remained a part of Westwood One's broadcasting team in 2008, calling NFL games and playoff coverage.
2010: Las Vegas Locomotives Repeat as UFL Champions
The Las Vegas Locomotives, coached by Jim Fassel, secured their second consecutive UFL championship in 2010.
2011: Locomotives' Attempt at a Three-Peat Falls Short
The Las Vegas Locomotives, aiming for a third straight championship, were defeated in the 2011 UFL Championship Game.
June 7, 2021: Death of Jim Fassel
Jim Fassel passed away on June 7, 2021.
