LOS ANGELES_It hit John Fassel as he boarded the team's flight from Seattle to Los Angeles after the Rams' loss to the Seahawks.
Less than a week earlier, he had been the Rams' special-teams coordinator. In the aftermath of Jeff Fisher's firing, he oversaw the entire team and was now one game into his stint as interim coach.
"I kind of just said, 'Did all of this really just happen over the course of four days?'" Fassel said. "Being thrown into the situation, and got to figure it out.
"Then, all of a sudden, game day came just like that."
With a 24-3 loss to the Seahawks behind him, Fassel is looking toward next Saturday's game against the San Francisco 49ers at the Coliseum.
The Rams are 4-10, but Fassel said players would remain motivated.
"There won't be any problems with emotion and energy," he said. "I know that."
Fassel exhibited plenty of enthusiasm Thursday at CenturyLink Field, where the game-time temperature was 36 degrees.
Fassel's father, Jim, who coached the New York Giants to a Super Bowl appearance, was at the game.
"Having my dad there was really cool," Fassel said. "From being on the sideline with him for so many years, and learning so much without even maybe even knowing it.
"It was an experience that I'll definitely never, never forget. Unfortunately, we lost, winning is the ultimate goal. But, I still think I'll look back on it and have a pretty special memory."
Fassel said his father told him to be himself. The message was clear.
" 'If you're not really sure what to do, go for it,' " Fassel said. " 'You've got nothing to lose, man.'"
Fassel followed that dictum, going for it on fourth down, trying a fake punt and lining up an offensive lineman in the backfield.
Safety T.J. McDonald was among players who gave Fassel high marks.
"He motivated us all week," McDonald said after the game. "Did a good job."
