Jim Fassel Blames Bloggers for Failure to Get Washington Redskins Head-Coaching Job

So why didn't Jim Fassel, who had long been labeled the front runner, get the Washington Redskins head-coaching job? According to Dan Steinberg of the Washington Post's DC Sports Bog, he blamed bloggers in a radio interview today:

Because you've got bloggers, and they're saying, 'No, this isn't the right guy, and that ain't the right guy,' and you can't hold the lead, because you are going to take the hit. I mean, when you're the lead dog, you're going to take the hit. And I think the longer it went, the longer it went, the longer it went....

Unlike the bloggers Steinberg mentions -- Mister Irrelevant, Unsilent Majority, Hogs Haven, and the Curly R -- I like Fassel, think he was an above-average coach with the Giants and would like to see him get another head-coaching job. But if Fassel is saying he didn't get the Redskins job because Redskins owner Dan Snyder didn't want to anger Redskins bloggers, what he's really saying is that Snyder is an idiot. And no matter what Fassel is saying, if he has the problem with the way the Redskins' coaching search was handled, his real problem is with Snyder. But he won't say anything about Snyder because bloggers are a lot easier to criticize than billionaires.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

2-12-2008 @ 6:03PM

Jim F. said...

...oh....um.... You mean Jim Fassel DIDN'T get the Redskins job? Just asking....

2-12-2008 @ 6:14PM

KC Fan #1 said...

Jim count yourself lucky. The Redskins let go one of the best defensive coordinators and one of the best offensive coordinators and the QB who led them to 4 straight victories.

Coach for a team that is run wisely by knowledgeable people.

Good luck.

2-12-2008 @ 6:15PM

peter de said...

It's was a mistake Snyder made not choosing Jim Fassel. His ability to have made the Redskins contenders would of been something to see, in short order. Jim Fassel possess a proven record and the "nack" to rally the vetran leaders on a given team to trancend winning! Redskin success woould of come allot sooner! Zorn is a first time head coach. It will take time to learn how to do that as a head caoch, the curve for learning will take him a few years! didn't Snyder understasnd what NFL really means when you make the wrong decission? It means, "Not For Long" when you don't win!!

2-12-2008 @ 6:54PM

Beowulf said...

You're growing on me, Michael David Smith. Thanks for not overreacting.

2-12-2008 @ 8:29PM

cian said...

i think fassell just proved why he isn't the head coach of the redskins. between blaming bloggers and blaming his stint at the ravens... he sure seems quick to point the finger at somebody else.

2-12-2008 @ 8:42PM

TEE said...

Jim Fassel is NOT REDSKIN MATERIAL...bottom line!

2-12-2008 @ 9:00PM

§ said...

Why is Steinberg singling out bloggers named "Mister Irrelevant" (how ironic) when the Washington Post's Redskins Insider has hundreds of voices saying the same thing?

2-12-2008 @ 11:00PM

myra said...

I thought it was the Ravens fault that he did not get the job. I thought it was a mistake for the Ravens to hire him, but someone was willing to give him a chance. Other fired coaches have been hired. The way he has handled this is the reason why he did not do well in B-more and has not been hired anywhere else. He should probably settle on a career other than coaching. He is really immature.

2-12-2008 @ 11:03PM

Unsilent Majority said...

"Mister Irrelevant" built this site.

2-14-2008 @ 12:00PM

Bake My Fish said...

Jim Fassel's tough-guy talk back in 2000 when the Giants needed a boost, did it for me. I haven't liked him since then, and I am glad he didn't get the job.

The Skins will be fine with Jim Zorn. Dan Snyder and Vinny did a good job researching the coaches out there. I liked Gregg Williams, but he did have a short fuse, and he may have said or did something during his interviews that convinced Dan and Vinny he wasn't the guy they wanted to hire. We still don't have all the story on what happened with LaVar Arrington.

I think Dan Snyder gets too much grief. He does want to win and he's willing to spend to do it. Most fans want their teams to try. It beats cheering for the Cardinals or Raiders.