Owings Mills, Md. ? Jim Fassel will not interview for coaching vacancies at Notre Dame and Stanford, opting instead to continue his pursuit of an NFL job as a head coach.

“I have no plans to pursue or accept a college job this year,” he said Monday.

Fassel was head coach of the New York Giants from 1997-2003. Now a senior consultant with the Baltimore Ravens, he has been working extensively with the offense while overseeing the developing second-year quarterback Kyle Boller.

His ultimate goal is to serve again as an NFL head coach, and for that reason he decided to dispel the rumors he was a candidate to take over at Notre Dame or Stanford. The Irish are seeking to replace Tyrone Willingham, who was fired last week, and Stanford is looking for a successor for Buddy Teevens, who was dismissed on Nov. 29.

“I want to end some of the speculation regarding my coaching future,” Fassel said. “It’s flattering to have my name associated with elite and very special collegiate programs. However, my intention is to return to the NFL as a head coach next season. My passion is to help a franchise go to and win the Super Bowl.”