The long time Rams Special Teams Coordinator and fake punt king John “Bones” Fassel is now apart of the Dallas Cowboys coaching staff. The report came in late last night, and blew up on Cowboys Twitter today.
The #Cowboys are hiring John Fassel as their special teams coordinator, per NFL Network. Fassel has been the #Rams special teams coordinator since 2012 and is regarded as one of the best special teams coaches in the NFL. Big get for Mike McCarthy.
— NFL Update (@MySportsUpdate) January 8, 2020
Wade Phillips isn't the only coordinator leaving the Rams; special-teams coordinator John Fassel reportedly is joining the Cowboys https://t.co/hhVrsvcd2B
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) January 8, 2020
“Bones” is widely regarded as the best special teams coordinator in the NFL, which makes it all the more surprising that the Rams didn’t extend his contract. Fassel’s departure comes in the midst of a huge shake-up in the Rams organization, as Defensive Coordinator Wade Phillips and Running Backs Coach Skip Peete will not be returning in 2020 either.
I’ve gotta say that it’s a bit alarming to see so many familiar faces hitting the road, even though it definitely was a disappointing 2019 season. Sean McVay is clearly trying to make some significant changes to try and get back to the Super Bowl, which they reached just last season.
The Rams special teams unit ranked 23rd in 2019…clearly not as dominant as they had been in earlier years. Fassel is also given a lot of credit for grooming both Greg Zuerlein and Johnny Hekker, who are among the best kicker/punter duos in the league. Hekker was not too happy about the news…
Mood…. pic.twitter.com/MyRRX58M00
— Johnny Hekker (@JHekker) January 8, 2020
I guess McVay thinks cleaning house is the best way to bring in the SoFi Stadium era. Best of luck to “Bones” in Dallas…unless they meet the Rams in the playoffs.