Cowboys special teams coordinator John Fassel ranked first in NFLPA survey

The NFL Players Association (NFLPA) recently conducted a survey asking its membership to rate their coordinators. John Fassel of the Dallas Cowboys came out on top as the No. 1 special teams coordinator.

In total, 1,025 special teams players rated their special teams coordinator. Fassel finished ahead of Chris Tabor of the Carolina Panthers, Matt Daniels of the Minnesota Vikings, Dave Fipp of the Detroit Lions and Darren Rizzi of the New Orleans Saints. It should come as no surprise that Fassel graded out so well given the Cowboys’ success on special teams this season.

Both Cowboys’ specialists, punter Bryan Anger and kicker Brandon Aubrey, are headed to the Pro Bowl. Anger, a second-time selection, ranks second in the NFL with a 51.4-yard punting average. He leads the league with a 44.3 net average. Aubrey, whom the Cowboys signed out of the USFL, is in the midst of a historic season. He remains a perfect 35-of-35 on field goals, including 9-of-9 from 50 yards or more. Aubrey shattered the NFL record for consecutive field goals to begin a career with 19.

John Fassel receives rave reviews from NFLPA survey

“It’s awesome,” Aubrey said last month of playing for Fassel, via The Dallas Morning News. “He means everything he says. He’s got complete trust and faith in his players. He doesn’t make you feel afraid to make mistakes, which I’ve had a bunch of coaches in the past that have done that. When you have a coach like that, it really limits your ability to take chances in a game or play freely because, in the back of your mind, you’re thinking about making a mistake.

“That is not the case with Bones. He’s the most positive person I’ve ever been around. He really believes in me, and it’s apparent.”

Fassel, recently opening up to The Athletic, explained why he connects to players as well as he does.

“You just pour into the players as much as you can, because that’s what it’s all about,” Fassel said. “There are no selfish motives, from a coach’s perspective, to go here, go there, go up or whatever it is. Just pouring into the players because that’s the game and that’s how [I] grew up viewing football. Seeing coaches pour into players, because it’s a player’s game. Feeding them all of the ammunition they need to be successful is the hugest reward, as a coach, seeing some of the fruits of their labor in their success.”