OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Jim Fassel found the ideal job to keep him busy until he can get another head coaching job: senior consultant to the Baltimore Ravens.
Fassel, fired by the New York Giants after the 2003 season, was hired Wednesday by the Ravens, who want him to work with second-year quarterback Kyle Boller to improve a passing attack that ranked last in the NFL.
Fassel said he expects the job will keep him occupied for a season — or until he receives a better offer.
"My goal is to return next year as a head coach, but in the meantime I would love to have my hand in the game of football. I don't want to drop out and not be involved," Fassel said. "This organization wants to win, and if I can help be a part of that, it's a perfect situation for me."
Fassel's six-year run with the Giants ended after New York lost its final eight games to finish 4-12. He interviewed in January for head coaching jobs at Arizona, Buffalo and the Washington Redskins.
By adding Fassel, the Ravens have united both head coaches in the 2001 Super Bowl, when Brian Billick and the Ravens beat Fassel and the Giants 34-7.
Fassel and Billick have been friends for years, and Billick loved the idea of using the former head coach to correct the team's most glaring weakness in 2003.
"We know clearly that we have to upgrade what we do in the passing game," Billick said. "To be able to have someone of Jim Fassel's credentials join our staff is a big thing for the Baltimore Ravens."
Fassel is generally credited in helping develop John Elway and Kerry Collins into quality quarterbacks.
"Outside of Bill Walsh, I think Jim Fassel is the best quarterback teacher I know," Billick said.