Jim Fassel Saying All the Right Things in New UFL Coaching Gig

Jim Fassel hasn't lost his mind.

The 61-year-old coach says he's "having a ball" in the United Football League. Maybe he is. His Las Vegas Locomotives have the league's best record and the veteran coach won his only professional championship last season.

He stands by quotes he made weeks ago that his UFL team could "give a good game" to a down NFL squad. Maybe he's right; much of his roster is comprised of former NFL players.

Fassel claims he didn't take his position in the UFL with the hopes of returning to the grander stage of the NFL. Maybe he's telling the truth.

But to be realistic, maybe Fassel is just embracing his new role as the UFL's slick PR voice.

It's more likely that he'd rather be in the NFL. An argument can be made that every single name listed on a UFL roster, coaching staff or front office directory would make the jump if given the chance.

But Fassel will never say as much.

He hasn't lost his mind. He's a spokesman for the league and would be crazy to speak any differently about the business that signs his paycheck.

"I love football and I love coaching," Fassel said. "That's in my blood. I am having as much fun as any job I have ever had.

"To be honest, I'm having a ball with this."

And he could be. But there's no denying the UFL is a different enterprise. Fassel had a couple examples of the distinction between his old league and his new one.

There was the moment he walked through the aisle of the team airplane on a UFL road trip, looking at a collection of unusual passengers. Sprinkled into rows amongst his players were suitcases, backpacks and other types of luggage.

It's more likely that he'd [ Fassel] rather be in the NFL. An argument can be made that every single name listed on a UFL roster, coaching staff or front office directory would make the jump if given the chance.
The plane was small; so much so that it didn't have storage below and the only way to get the team's gear and luggage on the plane was to strap it into seatbelts on the flight.

Then there were the too-close-for-comfort moments of sharing practice facilities with fellow UFL teams. Like the time one of his practice film guys was unavailable, and a new guy from the UFL league office had to learn how to operate the camera.

The new guy was being taught how to film during another team's practice at the shared facility. Opposing coaches didn't take too well to the sight of what looked like the not-so-secret filming of their practice by an opposing team.

"I had to laugh because you just don't have that at any college or pro level," Fassel said.

The moment was a distinct sign that this wasn't the NFL anymore. He was now far from the place he once stood.

Fassel was once on top of the nation's biggest media market as head coach of the New York Giants. He won the NFL's Coach of the Year in 1997 and led the Giants to a Super Bowl appearance in 2000.

Then things began to spiral, starting with a dramatic playoff loss that marked the beginning of the end. Fassel's Giants blew a 38-14 third quarter lead in the first round of the 2002 playoffs against the San Francisco 49ers.

The Giants fired Fassel the following season after his Giants finished with a 4-12 record. The coach moved on to Baltimore as the Ravens' offensive coordinator but lasted just two seasons before he was fired.

But Fassel claims this isn't a riches to rags story.

"I don't miss the spotlight," he said. "I didn't get into coaching thinking about money or notoriety. Young coaches now think about money and the limelight. When I got into coaching it was because I loved it; there was no money in it."

Fassel, like all UFL coaches and players, promotes the league's talent and quality of play.

"All the guys I know say this is competitive football," Fassel said. "It's competitive and they're good players. It's not sloppy."

He's found early success winning the UFL championship last season and again has a winning team, owning the league's best record this season.

Does he think his success could translate into opportunities back in the NFL?

"Well I know I didn't do this with any thought in mind about the NFL," Fassel said. "I didn't do it to try and get back. They said it might hurt my chances. It didn't matter to me.

"I don't wake up thinking I want to be in the NFL. I truly enjoy coaching in the UFL."

Maybe he believes that. Or maybe he just knows what to say in his new league's best interest.

Jim Fassel Words of Wisdom ( note: profanity used in video)