Jeff Ireland is in his tenth season with New Orleans, serving as the lead voice in the college scouting process and the NFL Draft preparation and first campaign as Senior Vice President/Assistant General Manager-College Personnel. In ten drafts, he has led the effort to select several impact players in RB Alvin Kamara, CB Marshon Lattimore, C Erik McCoy and WR Chris Olave, as well as significant contributors in DT Bryan Bresee, G Cesar Ruiz, T Trevor Penning, CB Alontae Taylor and LB Pete Werner.
In 2017, Ireland led a standout draft effort headlined by Lattimore and Kamara, who became the first duo from the same team since 1967 to sweep AP Defensive and Offensive Rookie of the Year and they were the first Saints duo selected to the Pro Bowl as rookies. In 2020, Kamara, the only Saint selected to the Pro Bowl in each of his first four campaigns, shattered the club's touchdown record with an NFL-best 21 scores and is the team's all-time leader in first downs, rushing yards, total yards from scrimmage, total touchdowns and rushing touchdowns. Lattimore was selected to four Pro Bowls during his tenure as a Saint. McCoy has become the anchor of the interior of the offensive line, receiving his first Pro Bowl selection in 2023.
Prior to joining the Saints, Ireland served as general manager of the Miami Dolphins from 2008-13. Inheriting a 1-15 team upon his arrival, he worked with the personnel staff to overhaul the team's roster, efforts that resulted in an 11-5 mark and the AFC East title, an unprecedented turnaround. He replaced almost half the roster, bringing on board 27 new faces, including nine new starters. Eight players he acquired through the draft, free agency and trades accounted for a total of 14 Pro Bowl selections, with Jake Long and Cameron Wake earning AP first-team All-Pro.
Ireland joined Miami after a seven-year stint (2001-07) with the Dallas Cowboys, where he served his last three seasons as the team's vice president/college and pro scouting. He was originally hired as the team's national scout and in four years in that role, his talent evaluation led to the drafting of four Pro Bowl performers. In 2007, the Cowboys went 13-3 and won the NFC East. Of the 53 players on the roster, 38 were acquired over the three years (2005-07) he served as VP/scouting, seven making the Pro Bowl during that time.
Prior to joining the Cowboys, Ireland spent four years with the Kansas City Chiefs as an area scout. He served as a National Football Scouting Combine area scout from 1994-1996 and helped coach special teams at the University of North Texas from 1992-1993.
Ireland graduated in 1992 with a bachelor's degree in communications from Baylor University, where he handled placekicking duties from 1988-1991 under Head Coach Grant Teaff, He finished his career third on the school's all-time scoring list with 213 points and set a program record with 45 field goals. He was the South team's kicker in the 1992 Senior Bowl.
The Abilene, Texas native is the stepson of Chiefs Hall of Fame LB/C E.J. Holub and the grandson of former Eagles player and Bears personnel executive Jim Parmer.
