James Edward Fassel (August 31, 1949 – June 7, 2021) was an American college and professional football player and coach. He was the head coach of the New York Giants of the National Football League (NFL) from 1997 to 2003. He 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. Playing career Fassel graduated from Anaheim High School and played quarterback at Fullerton College, USC, and Long Beach State. He was drafted as quarterback in the 7th round by the Chicago Bears in the 1972 NFL Draft and had a short playing career with the Bears, San Diego Chargers, and Houston Oilers in 1972. Fassel played briefly with The Hawaiians of the WFL in 1974, and became an assistant coach during the 1974 WFL season. He left the WFL after the '74 season, but briefly returned when the Hawaiians needed a quarterback late in the 1975 season. He 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. Coaching career Fassel's first professional coaching job was with The Hawaiians of the World Football League (WFL) in 1974, where he played quarterback before moving to the sidelines as an offensive assistant coach. He then began his college coaching career with stints at the University of Utah, Weber State and Stanford University, where he worked with John Elway. After five months as the offensive coordinator and quarterback coach for the New Orleans Breakers of the United States Football League (USFL), He was named head football coach at the University of Utah on November 30, 1984. Before becoming New York Giants head coach, Fassel served as an assistant coach with the Arizona Cardinals, Denver Broncos, New York Giants, and Oakland Raiders. Head coach of New York Giants Fassel originally coached with the Giants as an assistant in 1991 and 1992. Three weeks after the Giants won Super Bowl XXV, he was hired by Bill Parcells as their quarterback coach. In 1992, he was promoted to offensive coordinator. During Fassel's tenure as head coach of the Giants, his teams were known for numerous strong runs in December and for winning big games, such as a victory against the previously undefeated Denver Broncos in 1998. In 1997, he was