John Fassel (born January 10, 1974) is an American professional football coach who is the special teams coordinator for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). He was previously the special teams coordinator and interim head coach for the Los Angeles Rams. He also served as a special teams coach for the Baltimore Ravens and Oakland Raiders.

John Fassel
Dallas Cowboys
Position:Special teams coordinator
Personal information
Born: (1974-01-10) January 10, 1974 (age 50)
Anaheim, California, U.S.
Career information
High school:Morris Catholic
College:Pacific (CA)
Weber State
Career history
As a coach:
Head coaching record
Career:0–3 (.000)
Record at Pro Football Reference

Playing career

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College

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Fassel graduated from Morris Catholic High School in 1992.[1] He prepped for two years at Milford Academy in New Berlin, New York before attending the University of the Pacific in Stockton, California, where he played on the Pacific Tigers football team before they dropped their program in December 1995.[2] He then played wide receiver at Weber State University and, following graduation, spent time as an undrafted rookie free agent for the Indianapolis Colts in the preseason of the 1999 season.

Coaching career

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Oakland Raiders

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On January 17, 2009, Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis promoted Fassel to special teams coordinator after Brian Schneider took a job with Pete Carroll at USC.[3]

At the end of the 2011 NFL season, the Oakland Raiders fired head coach Hue Jackson and the entire coaching staff, including Fassel. During the season, Fassel had three special teams players (K Sebastian Janikowski, P Shane Lechler, and LS Jon Condo) selected to the 2012 Pro Bowl.

St. Louis/Los Angeles Rams

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On February 1, 2012, the St. Louis Rams announced the hiring of Fassel as their special teams coordinator.[4] Fassel took a lead role in developing the talents of kicker Greg Zuerlein, punter and holder Johnny Hekker and long snapper Jake McQuaide. Together, Zuerlein, Hekker, and McQuaide have combined for seven Pro Bowl appearances and remained together as a unit for seven seasons going into the 2019 season. Under Fassel's guidance, Rams players earned NFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors 15 times. On December 12, 2016, Fassel was announced as the interim head coach for the Los Angeles Rams, after the firing of Jeff Fisher.[5] On January 13, 2017, the day after being hired, new head coach Sean McVay invited Fassel to remain on the Rams coaching staff.[6]

Dallas Cowboys

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On January 7, 2020, Fassel was hired by the Dallas Cowboys as their special teams coordinator.

Personal life

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Fassel, who is of German descent, and his wife Elizabeth[7] have two daughters, Lilah and Avery.[8]

He is known by the nickname "Bones"[9] He is also the son of former NFL head coach Jim Fassel.[10]

On July 26, 2015, Fassel rescued a surfer who was drowning in the ocean in Manhattan Beach, California.[11]

Head coaching record

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College

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Year Team Overall Conference Standing Bowl/playoffs
New Mexico Highlands Cowboys (Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference) (2003–2004)
2003 New Mexico Highlands 0–11 0–8 9th
2004 New Mexico Highlands 3–8 2–6 T–7th
New Mexico Highlands: 3–19 2–14
Total: 3–19

Professional

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Team Year Regular season Postseason
Won Lost Ties Win % Finish Won Lost Win % Result
*LAR 2016 0 3 0 .000 3rd in NFC West
Total 0 3 0 0 0 .000

*Interim head coach

References

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  1. ^ Greenspan, Dan, via Associated Press. "Morris Catholic grad to lead Los Angeles Rams", The Record, December 13, 2016. Accessed March 28, 2023. "That was especially true for interim coach John Fassel.... 'A lot has happened in a little amount of time,' said Fassel, a Morris Catholic graduate who has been the Rams’ special teams coordinator for five seasons."
  2. ^ Armstrong, Kevin (November 17, 2012). "Ex-NY Giants coach Jim Fassel's son John has a motor that won't quit and NFL career on the rise". New York Daily News. Retrieved November 17, 2023.
  3. ^ "Raiders promote John Fassel to run special teams". NFL.com. Archived from the original on January 9, 2017. Retrieved January 8, 2017.
  4. ^ Jim Thomas (February 1, 2012). "Rams hire John Fassel as special teams coach". stltoday.com. Retrieved January 8, 2017.
  5. ^ "John Fassel Named Rams Interim Head Coach". Los Angeles Rams. December 12, 2016. Archived from the original on December 12, 2016. Retrieved December 12, 2016.
  6. ^ Klein, Gary (January 25, 2017). "John Fassel happy to remain Rams' special teams coordinator on Sean McVay's staff". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
  7. ^ "John Fassel's Life outside the Field". PlayerWivesWiki.com. Retrieved December 12, 2016.
  8. ^ "Three Facts about Interim Coach John Fassel". December 12, 2016.
  9. ^ Klein, Gary (December 12, 2016). "Rams fire Coach Jeff Fisher; John Fassel is named interim coach with Seattle game looming Thursday". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 20, 2022.
  10. ^ "Raiders tap Fassel for special teams". ESPN.com. Associated Press. January 17, 2009. Retrieved January 20, 2022.
  11. ^ Clements, Ron (July 26, 2015). "Rams special teams coach John Fassel saves drowning man". Sporting News. Retrieved January 20, 2022.
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