Posted at 12:16 p.m., Wednesday, January 2, 2008
NFL: Parcells hires Jeff Ireland as Dolphins GM
By Carl Kotala
Florida Today
That's exactly what happened today, when Ireland was officially hired by the Dolphins. He spent the previous seven years with the Dallas Cowboys, including the past three as the team's Vice President of College and Pro Scouting.
"I am excited about joining the Dolphins as their general manager," Ireland said in a statement. "I know the great tradition of the team, and in my mind they are one of the flagship franchises in the NFL. They have a great owner in Wayne Huizenga, who I know is committed to making the Dolphins into winners once again. I am looking forward to working with him and everyone else in Miami to achieve that goal.
"I also want to thank Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys organization. I enjoyed my tenure with the team, and I would not be where I am today without the help of so many people there."
The 37-year-old Ireland takes over for Randy Mueller, who was fired by the Dolphins on Monday, along with Assistant Director of Player Personnel Mike Baugh and College Scouting Coordinator Rick Thompson.
His hiring could also clear the way for Miami to fire head coach Cam Cameron.
In order for Ireland to be able to leave Dallas immediately — his contract was not set to run out until after April's NFL Draft — he had to receive a promotion. In this case, that meant he needed to have power over all personnel matters.
Letting Cameron go and bringing in someone like Dallas assistant coach/offensive line coach Tony Sparano — who is also reportedly a candidate in Atlanta — would be a clear demonstration of those powers.
Ireland is the stepson of Kansas City Chiefs Hall of Fame linebacker/center E.J. Holub, and the grandson of former Philadelphia Eagles player and longtime Chicago Bears personnel man Jim Parmer.
He was a kicker at Baylor University from 1988-91, then coached special teams at the University of North Texas from 1992-93 before becoming a scout.
After working with the Chiefs, he became a national scout for the Cowboys in 2001. While in that role, Dallas drafted four Pro Bowlers, including safety Roy Williams (2002), center Andre Gurode (2002), cornerback Terence Newman (2003) and tight end Jason Witten (2003).
Of the 53 players on Dallas' current roster, 38 of them were acquired in the past three seasons while Ireland served as vice president of college and pro scouting — including 12 of 22 starters.
