Fassel to coach Las Vegas UFL club

Las Vegas hasn't officially been given a team in the upstart United Football League, but it has a coach who has been to the Super Bowl.

Former New York Giants coach Jim Fassel will guide the Las Vegas franchise, according to a source who provided the information on the condition he was not named.

UFL commissioner Michael Huyghue said he would not confirm or deny Fassel's hiring, but said announcements regarding the league's future are forthcoming.

Attempts to contact Fassel and his agent were unsuccessful Tuesday.

UFLAccess.com, a Web site not affiliated with the league, reported Monday that Fassel would be hired by the Las Vegas franchise. An independent source confirmed that to the Review-Journal.

Including a 2-3 playoff record, Fassel had a 60-56-1 mark with the Giants from 1997 to 2003. He coached New York to the Super Bowl following the 2000 season, which it lost to the Baltimore Ravens.

The Las Vegas team, which has not been named, will play on Thursdays and Fridays at Sam Boyd Stadium this fall.

Other details about the UFL, such as franchise cities, length of the season and team owners and coaches, will be answered in the coming months.

According to the league Web site, other potential cities include Hartford, Conn.; Los Angeles; Monterrey, Mexico; Orlando, Fla.; New York; Salt Lake City; and San Francisco.

Billionaire Bill Hambrecht and Google executive Tim Armstrong are driving forces behind the UFL. Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban also is believed to be involved.

Contact reporter Mark Anderson at manderson@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2914.