Jeff Ireland

Former General Manager of the Miami Dolphins

What is Jeff Ireland known for?

Jeff Ireland, born March 11, 1970 in Abilene, Texas, is a prominent American football executive and former player. He is a notable alumni from Cooper High School, Abilene, Texas, where he showcased his skills as a wide receiver, placekicker, and soccer forward in the 1980s. Later, he continued his athletic career as a placekicker for the Baylor Bears from 1988 to 1991. Known for his contrasting performances, Ireland shined with a 58-yard field goal against Rice University in 1991, but also missed few easy ones. He finished his college career third on the school's all-time scoring list with 213 points and set a record with his 45 career field goals.

After his playing career, Ireland began his executive journey as a special teams coach at the University of North Texas from 1992 to 1993. His professional career then took off as a scout for the NFL Scouting Combine from 1994 to 1996, and later he served as an area scout for the Kansas City Chiefs from 1997 to 2000. His time with the Dallas Cowboys from 2001 to 2007 was marked by significant success. He started as a national talent-scout, during which time the team drafted four future Pro Bowl selections. Later, he was promoted to Vice President of College and Pro Scouting.

In 2008, he began a new chapter in his career when he became the General Manager of the Miami Dolphins, a role he held until 2014. More recently, he has been serving as the assistant general manager and college scouting director for the New Orleans Saints.

Beyond his executive roles, he's remembered for his childhood role as a ball boy for the Chicago Bears and his membership in the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. Learn more about his life and career at Pro Football Reference.