Ireland was a wide receiver and placekicker and soccer forward for Cooper High School in the 1980s, and then a placekicker for the Baylor Bears from 1988 to 1991. He became the starter at placekicker as a sophomore. 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. Ireland finished his college career third on the school's all-time scoring list with 213 points. His 45 career field goals, including a 58-yard effort against Rice in 1991, were school records. He is a member of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity.
Professional career
Early years
Ireland began his professional career as the special teams coach at the University of North Texas from 1992 to 1993. He became a scout for the NFL Scouting Combine from 1994 to 1996. He later was hired to be an area scout for the Kansas City Chiefs from 1997 to 2000.
Dallas Cowboys
Ireland was a national talent-scout for the Dallas Cowboys from 2001 to 2005. During this period, the team drafted four future-Pro Bowl selections: safety Roy Williams; offensive lineman Andre Gurode; cornerback Terence Newman; and tight endJason Witten. In 2005, Ireland was promoted to Vice President of College and Pro Scouting. In what would be Ireland's final season with the Cowboys, the Cowboys went 13-3 and won the NFC East Division Championship. 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.
On January 2, 2008, Ireland was officially hired by then-Executive Vice President of Football Operations Bill Parcells as general manager of the Miami Dolphins. Ireland and Parcells had worked together previously, when Parcells was the head coach and football operations boss at the Dallas Cowboys. 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". In 2013, Ireland came under further scrutiny when the off-field interactions between offensive guard Richie Incognito and offensive tackle Jonathan Martin were brought to light by the latter. He reacted to allegations of a culture of bullying on the part of Incognito by suggesting that Martin "punch" him. A second airplane banner was flown over Sun Life Stadium on November 17, during warmups for the Dolphins' Week 11 game against the San Diego Chargers, reading "MR ROSS: WE TOLD YOU SO 2 YEARS AGO #FIREIRELAND". On January 7, 2014, the Dolphins announced that they had mutually parted ways with Ireland.
Seattle Seahawks
On April 26, 2014, the Seattle Seahawks announced they had hired Jeff Ireland to work as a consultant for the 2014 NFL Draft, the Seahawks also announced that a possible long term deal would be negotiated after the draft. Ireland's tenure with the Seattle Seahawks, however, was short-lived as the team decided to move on without him after only one month.
New Orleans Saints
On January 20, 2015, Adam Schefter tweeted "It's not just Dennis Allen joining the Saints. Former Dolphins GM Jeff Ireland is being hired to do college scouting for the Saints, per source.". He was hired to be the Saints' assistant general manager & college scouting director.
Personal life
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.
