Jeff Ireland

Jeff Ireland (born in Abilene, Texas) is the general manager for the Miami Dolphins in 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.

High school and college career
Ireland was a placekicker 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.

Ireland is a member of the Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity.

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 Chiefs, holding the position from 1997 to 2000.

Dallas Cowboys
In 2001, Ireland became a national scout for the Dallas Cowboys. 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.

Miami Dolphins
On January 2, 2008, Ireland was officially hired as general manager of the Miami Dolphins. 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.

On 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.

Ireland's tenure with the Dolphins became controversial as the club's on-field successes declined after 2008. Public efforts to recruit free agent players such as Peyton Manning, and Alex Smith were unsuccessful, as was the effort to recruit former Titans coach Jeff Fisher. Ireland's handling of his Dez Bryant interview was cited as an example of poor leadership on Ireland's part and a perception that Ireland was not honest in dealings with players.

In 2011, some fans pitched in to have a plane fly over Sun Life Stadium reading: "MR ROSS: SAVE OUR DOLPHINS. FIRE IRELAND."

At a home game in 2012, Ireland was seen speaking to and taking pictures with fans. One fan told him to "fire yourself" stating that Ireland has made the Miami Dolphins the laughing stock of the NFL since he's been GM. Ireland responded to that fan by calling him an "Asshole".

Personal
Ireland is the stepson of College Football Hall of Famer 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.