NASHVILLE – John Fassel isn't real comfortable talking about himself, or his style.
"I've always been hesitant to answer that," Fassel, the new special teams coordinator for the Titans, said this week. "I don't really want to answer for what my style is. I try to keep things really simple, and I try to make special teams something players want to do. … It's a hard question for me to answer because I don't feel comfortable answering what somebody else, a player's evaluation of me, might be."
Fassel, however, has no problem describing what he wants his special teams units to look like, and be known for on game days.
"Relentless, with a little wild man in it," Fassel said with a smile. "Because I think on special teams there's some of that, where if you try to be real conservative, or real perfect or real scripted or real schemed, I think that prohibits a little bit of the flair that comes with special teams, which is running and hitting and chasing and finishing. So that's what I would love for us to be known for, not the schematics, not even all the big-play highlights. Just the consistent motor and relentlessness, and a little bit of wild man.
"If I'd (want to) be known for something, it would be a really solid and sound special teams unit that goes nuts out there."
Fassel joined head coach Brian Callahan's staff earlier this offseason. Rayna Stewart, a former Houston/Tennessee Oiler player and Titans assistant coach who most recently coached alongside Fassel in Dallas, also joined Callahan's staff in Tennessee as a special teams assistant.
They replaced Colt Anderson and Anthony Levine, special teams coaches from Callahan's staff last year.
Fassel has been an NFL special teams coordinator since 2008, most recently holding the post with the Dallas Cowboys since 2020. Fassel was a longtime special teams coordinator for the St. Louis/Los Angeles Rams (2012-2019), and he served as the Rams' head coach for three games in 2016 after the team dismissed former Rams and Titans coach Jeff Fisher.
During his time in the NFL, Fassel has been known as one of the most creative special teams coaches in the league, and one of the best. In addition to his time with the Cowboys and Rams, Fassel headed up special teams with the Oakland Raiders from 2008-11. He was an assistant special teams coach with the Ravens from 2005-2007.
Callahan has no problem describing Fassel, and what he brings to the team.
"He's got such incredible energy," Callahan said. "He's the most positive, high-energy, infectious personality I've been around in a long time. He's fantastic. He keeps it simple. He lets guys play fast. He does a really, really nice job connecting with the team as a special teams coach. I'm thrilled to have him. I've been really impressed with his work on the grass, too. The guy's just a fantastic football coach."
Fassel will lead a group that has undergone a number of changes.
Johnny Hekker replaced Ryan Stonehouse at punter.
Joey Slye replaced Nick Folk at kicker.
The Titans have added a number of players, all shapes and sizes, who should play big roles on coverage and return teams.
Fassel dramatically improved the Cowboys special teams unit.
Three players coached by Fassel in Dallas earned a total of six Pro Bowl selections: punter Bryan Anger (2021 and 2023), returner KaVontae Turpin (2022 and 2024) and kicker Brandon Aubrey (2023 and 2024).
In 2024, the Cowboys set an all-time NFL record with an average of 32.1 yards per kickoff return (1,091 yards on 34 returns). Turpin averaged a league-best 33.5 yards per kickoff return and scored touchdowns on a 99-yard kickoff return and a 60-yard punt return. Aubrey ranked second in field goals made (40), including a league-high 14 field goals of 50-plus yards. Meanwhile, the team's coverage units ranked 11th in opponent kickoff return average (27.1).
Fassel, the son of late NFL coach Jim Fassel, who guided the New York Giants to the Super Bowl during the 2000 season, said he wants to encourage players, and give them freedom without fear of making mistakes.
While he's watched some tape from last year, he's not harping on it much because he wanted his players to have a clean slate.
"It's a fresh start for me, it's a fresh start for them," Fassel said. "And whatever happened in the past, good or bad, doesn't matter. So, I am excited about what is to come."
