Previous New York Giants head coach Jim Fassel has died at the age of 71, his son, John, affirmed to the Los Angeles Times on Monday night.
Jim Fassel, who lived in Las Vegas, died of a heart attack while under sedation subsequent to being taken to a local hospital Monday with chest pains, John Fassel told the Times.
Jim Fassel was head coach of the Giants from 1997 to 2003 and guided the team to three playoff berths. He was named the NFL’s Coach of the Year in 1997.
Fassel’s Giants lost to the Baltimore Ravens 34-7 in Super Bowl XXXV in January 2001, in the wake of going 12-4 and winning the NFC East that season. Fassel was 58-53-1 in general with the Giants.
As well as coaching the Giants, Fassel was a longtime NFL assistant, holding offensive coordinator roles with the Giants, Denver Broncos, Arizona Cardinals and Ravens.
Fassel additionally coached in the college ranks, leading Utah from 1985 to 1989.
