Jeff Ireland
Encyclopedia
Jeff Ireland is the General Manager
for the Miami Dolphins
of the National Football League
. He has previously served as an executive for the Dallas Cowboys
, a scout
for the Kansas City Chiefs
and an assistant coach for the North Texas Mean Green
. He played college football
for the Baylor Bears
. As a child he was a ball boy
for the Chicago Bears
.
for Cooper High School in the 1980s, and then for the Baylor Bears
from 1988 to 1991. Upon the conclusion of his playing career, he served as special teams coach for the North Texas Mean Green
from 1992 to 1993.
At Baylor, Ireland was known for making difficult kicks but missing the easy ones. Against Rice University
in 1991, for example, he made a 58-yard field goal
, then missed field goals of 43, 45, and 27 yards. Baylor, a 20.5 point favorite, lost the game by three points. Baylor was ranked 8th in the Associated Press
poll at that time, and has never been ranked that high since.
, holding the position from 1997 to 2000.
. During Ireland's time as a college scout, the team drafted four future Pro Bowl
selections - safety Roy Williams
, offensive lineman Andre Gurode
, cornerback Terence Newman
and tight end Jason Witten
. Ireland served in that capacity until 2005, when he was promoted to the position of Vice President of College and Pro Scouting.
In what would be Ireland's final season with Dallas in 2007, the Cowboys went 13-3 and won the NFC East
title. At the time of his departure in January 2008, 38 of the team's 53 players were acquired over the past three years, including 12 of 22 starters.
. He was hired by new Executive Vice President of Football Operations, Bill Parcells
. Ireland and Parcells had worked together previously, as the latter served as head coach of the Dallas Cowboys from 2003 to 2006.
Although Ireland will officially have final say over player personnel in Miami, it has been speculated that Bill Parcells will make such decisions. The Dolphins were able to hire Ireland away from the Cowboys because he did not have final say in Dallas.
On Sunday, December 28, 2008, the Miami Dolphins defeated the New York Jets 24-17, securing the AFC East title and becoming the first team in NFL history to reach the playoffs after having won only one game during the previous season. In reaction to the victory and title, Ireland granted a rare interview to ESPN's Tim Graham, saying, "It's a remarkable feeling. I'm so proud of these coaches, these players. Coach always asked us and the players right there in training camp, "Why not us?" Well, Why not us? I'm just so proud of the coaches and what they've done."
In April 2010, Ireland asked NFL prospect Dez Bryant
during a formal interview whether Bryant's mother was a prostitute. According to two unnamed NFL sources, Bryant allegedly told Ireland that his dad was a pimp and that his mother worked for his father. Bryant denies ever telling Ireland that his father was a pimp. Ireland later apologized to Bryant for asking the question.
On September 7, 2010, Ireland assumed full command of operations on a day to day basis. Bill Parcells became a daily consultant for the Miami Dolphins, a position he has since left.
r E. J. Holub
, who played center and linebacker for the Kansas City Chiefs
and Dallas Texans
. Ireland is also the grandson of Jim Parmer
, who played for the Philadelphia Eagles
and was a personnel executive for the Chicago Bears
. Jeff and his wife, Rachel, have four children.
General Manager (American football)
In the National Football League, the general manager or GM of a team typically controls player transactions and bears the primary responsibility on behalf of the team during contract discussions with players....
for the Miami Dolphins
Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins are a Professional football team based in the Miami metropolitan area in Florida. The team is part of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
of the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
. He has previously served as an executive for the Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
, a scout
Scout (sport)
In professional sports, scouts are trained talent evaluators who travel extensively for the purposes of watching athletes play their chosen sports and determining whether their set of skills and talents represent what is needed by the scout's organization...
for the Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. They are a member of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Originally named the Dallas Texans, the club was founded by Lamar Hunt in 1960 as a...
and an assistant coach for the North Texas Mean Green
North Texas Mean Green football
The North Texas Mean Green football team represents the University of North Texas in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I-FBS college football and competes as a member of the Sun Belt Conference. The Mean Green have attained several conference championships, including four...
. He played college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
for the Baylor Bears
Baylor Bears football
The Baylor Bears football team represents Baylor University in Division I FBS college football. They are a member of the Big 12 Conference. The team plays its home games at Floyd Casey Stadium in Waco, Texas.-History:...
. As a child he was a ball boy
Ball Boy
Ball Boy is a comic strip in the UK comic The Beano and also the name of the main character. It first appeared in issue 1735, dated 18 October 1975. It features a five-a-side football team that includes:* Ball Boy - the captain of the team, Ball Boy bears resemblances to The Dandy's Owen Goal...
for the Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
.
High school and college career
Ireland was a placekickerPlacekicker
Placekicker, or simply kicker , is the title of the player in American and Canadian football who is responsible for the kicking duties of field goals, extra points...
for Cooper High School in the 1980s, and then for the Baylor Bears
Baylor Bears football
The Baylor Bears football team represents Baylor University in Division I FBS college football. They are a member of the Big 12 Conference. The team plays its home games at Floyd Casey Stadium in Waco, Texas.-History:...
from 1988 to 1991. Upon the conclusion of his playing career, he served as special teams coach for the North Texas Mean Green
North Texas Mean Green football
The North Texas Mean Green football team represents the University of North Texas in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I-FBS college football and competes as a member of the Sun Belt Conference. The Mean Green have attained several conference championships, including four...
from 1992 to 1993.
At Baylor, Ireland was known for making difficult kicks but missing the easy ones. Against Rice University
Rice Owls football
The Rice Owls football team represents Rice University in NCAA Division I college football. The Owls have competed in Conference USA's Western Division since 2005. Rice Stadium, built in 1950, hosts the Owls' home football games.-Venue:...
in 1991, for example, he made a 58-yard field goal
Field goal (football)
A field goal in American football and Canadian football is a goal that may be scored during general play . Field goals may be scored by a placekick or the now practically extinct drop kick.The drop kick fell out of favor in 1934 when the shape of the ball was changed...
, then missed field goals of 43, 45, and 27 yards. Baylor, a 20.5 point favorite, lost the game by three points. Baylor was ranked 8th in the Associated Press
Associated Press
The Associated Press is an American news agency. The AP is a cooperative owned by its contributing newspapers, radio and television stations in the United States, which both contribute stories to the AP and use material written by its staff journalists...
poll at that time, and has never been ranked that high since.
Early years
Ireland began his professional career as a scout for the NFL Scouting Combine - a job he served from 1994 to 1996. He then became a scout for the Kansas City ChiefsKansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. They are a member of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Originally named the Dallas Texans, the club was founded by Lamar Hunt in 1960 as a...
, holding the position from 1997 to 2000.
Dallas Cowboys
In 2001, Ireland became a national scout for the Dallas CowboysDallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
. During Ireland's time as a college scout, the team drafted four future Pro Bowl
Pro Bowl
In professional American football, the Pro Bowl is the all-star game of the National Football League . Since the merger with the rival American Football League in 1970, it has been officially called the AFC–NFC Pro Bowl, matching the top players in the American Football Conference against those...
selections - safety Roy Williams
Roy Williams (safety)
Roy Lee Williams is a retired American football safety. He played college football at Oklahoma before he was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys eighth overall in the 2002 NFL Draft. He spent seven seasons with the Cowboys and earned five straight Pro Bowl selections from 2003–2007...
, offensive lineman Andre Gurode
Andre Gurode
-Dallas Cowboys:Gurode was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the second round of the 2002 NFL Draft as a center.Gurode was selected to help shore up the center position and started fast by becoming the first rookie in club history to start at center on opening day....
, cornerback Terence Newman
Terence Newman
Terence Newman is a starting American football cornerback for the Dallas Cowboys in the National Football League. He played in the 2008 pro-bowl and has 32 interceptions in his career....
and tight end Jason Witten
Jason Witten
Christopher Jason Witten is an American football tight end who plays for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League. He played college football at the University of Tennessee....
. Ireland served in that capacity until 2005, when he was promoted to the position of Vice President of College and Pro Scouting.
In what would be Ireland's final season with Dallas in 2007, the Cowboys went 13-3 and won the NFC East
NFC East
The NFC East is a division of the National Football League's National Football Conference. It currently has four members: the Philadelphia Eagles, the New York Giants, the Dallas Cowboys, and Washington Redskins....
title. At the time of his departure in January 2008, 38 of the team's 53 players were acquired over the past three years, including 12 of 22 starters.
Miami Dolphins
On January 2, 2008 Ireland was officially hired as general manager of the Miami DolphinsMiami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins are a Professional football team based in the Miami metropolitan area in Florida. The team is part of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
. He was hired by new Executive Vice President of Football Operations, Bill Parcells
Bill Parcells
Duane Charles "Bill" Parcells is a former American football head coach, most recently with the Dallas Cowboys from 2003 to 2006...
. Ireland and Parcells had worked together previously, as the latter served as head coach of the Dallas Cowboys from 2003 to 2006.
Although Ireland will officially have final say over player personnel in Miami, it has been speculated that Bill Parcells will make such decisions. The Dolphins were able to hire Ireland away from the Cowboys because he did not have final say in Dallas.
On Sunday, December 28, 2008, the Miami Dolphins defeated the New York Jets 24-17, securing the AFC East title and becoming the first team in NFL history to reach the playoffs after having won only one game during the previous season. In reaction to the victory and title, Ireland granted a rare interview to ESPN's Tim Graham, saying, "It's a remarkable feeling. I'm so proud of these coaches, these players. Coach always asked us and the players right there in training camp, "Why not us?" Well, Why not us? I'm just so proud of the coaches and what they've done."
In April 2010, Ireland asked NFL prospect Dez Bryant
Dez Bryant
- 2010 - Rookie Season :Bryant was signed by the Cowboys to a contract very similar to that of Vikings wide receiver Percy Harvin on July 22, 2010. On July 23, 2010, it was announced that Bryant will wear number 88, the same as Hall of Famer Michael Irvin, and Cowboys legend Drew Pearson...
during a formal interview whether Bryant's mother was a prostitute. According to two unnamed NFL sources, Bryant allegedly told Ireland that his dad was a pimp and that his mother worked for his father. Bryant denies ever telling Ireland that his father was a pimp. Ireland later apologized to Bryant for asking the question.
On September 7, 2010, Ireland assumed full command of operations on a day to day basis. Bill Parcells became a daily consultant for the Miami Dolphins, a position he has since left.
Personal
Ireland is the stepson of College Football Hall of FameCollege Football Hall of Fame
The College Football Hall of Fame is a hall of fame and museum devoted to college football. Located in South Bend, Indiana, it is connected to a convention center and situated in the city's renovated downtown district, two miles south of the University of Notre Dame campus. It is slated to move...
r E. J. Holub
E. J. Holub
Emil Joe Holub is a former American football center and linebacker in the American Football League and the National Football League . Collegiately, he played for Texas Technological College .-College:E.J. Holub graduated from Lubbock High School in 1957 and went on to attend Texas Technological...
, who played center and linebacker for the Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. They are a member of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Originally named the Dallas Texans, the club was founded by Lamar Hunt in 1960 as a...
and Dallas Texans
History of the Kansas City Chiefs
The following is a detailed history of the Kansas City Chiefs, a professional American football franchise that began play in 1960 as the Dallas Texans...
. Ireland is also the grandson of Jim Parmer
Jim Parmer
James Richard Parmer was an American football running back in the National Football League who played for nine seasons for the Philadelphia Eagles...
, who played for the Philadelphia Eagles
Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
and was a personnel executive for the Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
. Jeff and his wife, Rachel, have four children.