Tag: Jeff Ireland

Saints assistant G.M. Jeff Ireland scouting Clemson pro day

New Orleans Saints assistant general manager and college scouting director Jeff Ireland was at Clemson’s pro day ahead of the 2021 NFL draft

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbyahgz6p2j3xp7 player_id=none image=https://saintswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

NFL Network’s Andrew Groover reported that 31 of the league’s 32 teams were on hand to evaluate draft prospects at Clemson’s pro day, with a handful of prominent executives headlining the morning’s workouts. And one spectator draws a lot of water for the New Orleans Saints: college scouting director and assistant general manager Jeff Ireland.

It’s unclear where the Saints want to improve in this year’s draft, though we have some ideas about their most important positional needs. And Clemson is a great place to start given their wealth of top draft prospects, including the projected first overall pick Trevor Lawrence. The Saints now own six selections, their first at 28 overall, after receiving three compensatory draft picks.

His supporting cast is legit in their own right, ranging from Jennings, La. native Travis Etienne (an elusive 215-pound running back who timed the 40 yard dash in 4.4 seconds flat, and who I’d love to see team up with Alvin Kamara) to left tackle Jackson Carman and wide receivers Amari Rodgers and Cornell Powell. If the Saints want more firepower for their offense, they’re in the right place.

Still, we shouldn’t look too deeply into this. The Saints will be sending scouts and assistant coaches all around the country in the weeks leading up to the 2021 NFL draft to evaluate prospects and time them in athletic drills. The opportunity to meet with players virtually for interviews will allow the Saints to gather more information more quickly. Eventually, everyone will meet with everyone (check our live tracker here). So while it’s interesting to see Ireland spotted at Clemson’s pro day, that doesn’t really tip their hand towards who they’ll be picking on draft day.

[listicle id=43259]

Falcons name Saints executive Terry Fontenot their general manager

The Atlanta Falcons named Terry Fontenot their general manager, ending his 17-year run in the New Orleans Saints front office.

[jwplayer 0Fql934w-ThvAeFxT]

This move was expected, but that doesn’t lessen its impact. The Atlanta Falcons announced Tuesday that Terry Fontenot will be their next general manager, ending his 17-year run with the New Orleans Saints front office. Fontenot climbed the ladder in New Orleans and most recently served as vice president of player personnel, as well as assistant general manager to Mickey Loomis. He’ll be replacing longtime Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff.

He predominately worked on the pro scouting side of the show, evaluating veteran free agents and players around the league that might interest the Saints. His work factored into the big personnel decisions — like signing All-Pro linebacker Demario Davis — as well as the more-mundane weekly tryouts in New Orleans. He’ll be missed.

Losing Fontenot to a division rival stings a little more, but it’s good to see him get this opportunity. He’s earned the shot at running his own team and calling his own shots, and he’ll get to do that once paired with first-year Falcons coach Arthur Smith. The Athletic’s Jeff Duncan reports that the Saints intend to replace Fontenot with a candidate already on staff, likely pro personnel scout Michael Parenton. College scouting director Jeff Ireland, the Saints’ other assistant general manager, is also expected to remain in New Orleans.

[vertical-gallery id=33835]

Detroit Lions GM search appears to be narrowed to 4 candidates

Based on multiple reports surrounding the Detroit Lions general manager search, their focus appears to be narrowed to four candidates.

The Detroit Lions have done an extensive search for the general manager position, completing 12 candidate interviews, as well as inquiring about several others.

Now, based on multiple reports, they have taken the next step and narrowed the list to just four candidates: Brad Holmes (Los Angeles Rams’ director of college scouting), Ed Dodds (Colts’ assistant GM), Jeff Ireland (Saints’ Assistant GM, Formerly Dolphins GM), and Terry Fontenot (Saints’ VP/assistant GM of pro personnel).

In most years, this second round of interviews would be “contract on the table” interviews, meaning the team would likely offer them the job at the end of the meeting if they were interested. If there was no contract, the odds of them reaching a deal were slim.

But this is not a typical year.

It appears, with most initial interviews taking place virtually, it’s added another layer to the process. So this year’s next step involves a second round of interviews that would take place in person, but it is still a narrowing of options.

First up for these in-person interviews was Holmes, who completed his second interview on Wednesday. Who’s next? Well, that’s a bit muddled.

MMQB’s Albert Breer reported that “Detroit would like to get Dodds, Ireland, and Fontenot into the building before making a decision. Whether they’ll have the chance to do that, given all the balls in the air right now, is another question.”

Some of these questions center around availability. Because the Saints are still in the NFL Playoffs, neither Fontenot nor Ireland can interview a second time until they are eliminated or they reach the bye week ahead of the Super Bowl.

Dodds, who eligible to interview again at any time, just interviewed on Tuesday and the Lions may want more time to process his interview before scheduling a second. If he is going to get/take a second interview, logistics point to him being the next likely candidate to be scheduled.

The Lions are getting closer to a decision, but it doesn’t look like they’re going to rush this process.

Stay tuned to Lions Wire for daily updates as things continue to unfold.

Saints exec Jeff Ireland interviews for Lions GM job

Saints exec Jeff Ireland interviews for Lions GM job

The Detroit Lions completed the final of their initially scheduled general manager interviews on Friday, discussing the position with New Orleans Saints executive Jeff Ireland.

Ireland currently serves as the assistant GM and director of collegiate scouting for New Orleans. He has been with the Saints in that capacity since 2015. Prior to that, Ireland is best known for being the GM of the Miami Dolphins from 2008-2013. Those Dolphins teams made the postseason with an 11-5 record in his first season but did not have another winning season.

The 50-year-old Ireland has earned a lot of respect for his ability to evaluate talent at both the college and pro level throughout his career, which also includes stints with the Seattle Seahawks, Dallas Cowboys and Kansas City Chiefs.

If any further GM candidates emerge, they come from beyond the initial list the Lion requested interviews with at the beginning of the process.

[listicle id=55332]

Lions, Panthers among teams targeting Saints exec Jeff Ireland in GM searches

New Orleans Saints VP of college scouting Jeff Ireland has been targeted by the Detroit Lions and Carolina Panthers as a GM candidate.

[sendtonews_embed video_id=”KlMFI91G7w-1094991-7498″]

The NFL’s new hiring cycle has kicked off, and several executive members of the New Orleans Saints front office could be on the move.

Multiple reports linked Saints vice president of college scouting Jeff Ireland to teams searching for new general managers, with the MMQB’s Albert Breer reporting that the Detroit Lions plan to interview Ireland on Friday, Jan. 8, while the Carolina Panthers hope to meet with Ireland on Tuesday, Jan. 5, if the Saints approve their interview request.

Ireland has been an important architect of the Saints’ resurgence, having overhauled their scouting department after joining the front office back in 2015. His influence led to their legendary 2017 draft class in which the Saints hit on two first round picks (Marshon Lattimore and Ryan Ramczyk) as well as other top-100 selections (Marcus Williams, Alvin Kamara, Trey Hendrickson, and Alex Anzalone).

His efforts in scouring the college ranks have also helped the Saints land undrafted rookies like Deonte Harris, Shy Tuttle, and Marquez Callaway, among other contributors.

And it shouldn’t surprise anyone that his success in New Orleans has prompted interested teams to overlook his ugly Miami Dolphins tenure. Ireland worked as the Dolphins general manager from 2008 to 2014 in an era marred by controversial draft picks and questionable personnel decisions. But the fact that he’s had time to learn from those mistakes has helped heal his reputation.

With that said: he’ll have to impress during the interview process to stand out from a crowded field. Detroit in particular has quite a long list of names on their slate competing for the same position, including Saints vice president of pro personnel Terry Fontenot. The Saints have benefited from having both executives in the building, but it’s looking like either of them could be moving up and out, if not both of them.

But the Carolina connection is worth watching closely. Ireland is a Baylor alum, where Panthers coach Matt Rhule catapulted his way onto the NFL’s radar. The two presumably have a good relationship and might enjoy working together. Having an opportunity to compete against Saints GM Mickey Loomis and his former team twice a year could be appealing.

[listicle id=42138]

Report: Detroit Lions have 4 GM and 3 coaching interviews scheduled this week

Multiple sources are reporting that the Detroit Lions are aggressively interviewing general manager and coaching candidates this week.

MMQB’s Albert Breer and NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport have reported several interviews this week for the Detroit Lions general manager and coaching vacancies.

In total, the Lions reportedly will interview four general manager and three coaching candidates over the next five days, as well as two more coaching interviews set up for next week.

At a glance interview schedule

Monday Eric Bieniemy, Chiefs’ OC (source)
Tuesday Darrell Bevell, Lions’ OC (source) Terry Fontenot, Saints’ Asst. GM, VP Pro personnel (source)
Wednesday Brad Holmes, Rams’ Dir. College Scouting (source) Geroge Paton, Vikings’ Asst. GM (source)
Thursday Robert Saleh, 49ers’ DC (source)
Friday Jeff Ireland, Saints’ Asst. GM, VP college scouting (source)
Next Week Arthur Smith, Titans’ OC (source) Dan Campbell, Saints’ Asst. Head Coach, TE coach (source)
TBD John Schneider, Seahawks’ GM (source)

Bieniemy, Saleh, and Smith were all identified and profiled in Lions Wire’s Top-10 coaching options for the Lions, and fans should be familiar with Bevell as he was the Lions OC over the last two seasons, but this is the first time we have discussed Dan Campbell.

Campbell is a former NFL tight end, spent three seasons (2006-08) with the Lions, and began coaching in 2010 with the Miami Dolphins. After five years as their tight ends coach, he was promoted to interim coach in 2015 but was let go after the season. He joined the Saints the next season as their tight ends coach and also carried an assistant head coach (to Sean Payton) title.

Paton and Ireland were candidates identified and profiled in Lions Wire’s Top general manager candidates, we also profiled Holmes last week, then Schneider over the weekend, and while we have mentioned Fontenot in other articles, we haven’t profiled him yet.

Fontenot, like Ireland, is an assistant general manager with the Saints, but while Ireland is focused on the college scouting side of the front office, Fontenot deals with their pro personnel department. Fontenot has been with the Saints’ organization for 16 seasons, beginning his career as a scout, and overseeing the pro scouting department for the last six seasons.

Lions completed GM interviews:

Lions completed coaching interviews:

Names the Lions are reportedly interested in but nothing set up yet

Report: Falcons to interview Saints exec Terry Fontenot for G.M. opening

New Orleans Saints pro scouting director Terry Fontenot was reported to be a candidate for the Atlanta Falcons general manager position.

[jwplayer V3NRwRTH-ThvAeFxT]

At least one member of the New Orleans Saints is getting consideration for a big move to a new city: Terry Fontenot, who holds the titles of vice president, assistant general manager, and director of pro scouting.

And he wouldn’t be moving far. Fontenot is a candidate to be interviewed for the Atlanta Falcons general manager job, as first reported by D. Orlando Ledbetter for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution this week. Atlanta parted with longtime G.M. Thomas Dimitroff earlier this season.

While the Saints-Falcons rivalry is one of the most heated and pettiest feuds in football, it makes sense for Fontenot to put his career first and put himself out there for this opportunity. There are only 32 jobs like it, and he’s spent the last 16 years preparing for his chance to run his own team.

It would hurt the Saints to lose Fontenot to this departure or any other (he interviewed for the New York Jets opening last offseason), but it’s worth considering that the NFL approved a rules change that would reward teams that lose minority candidates to these sort of promotions with draft picks.

A lack of diversity in leadership structures around the league prompted a diversity committee headed by Pittsburgh Steelers owner Art Rooney II to push for this new measure, which he described to Jarrett Bell for USA TODAY Sports as: “I don’t look at this as a silver bullet. This is just one more piece of the puzzle, one in a number of steps.”

Bell reported the terms of the new rules change, which as follows:

•”A team that loses a minority assistant coach who becomes a head coach or loses a personnel executive who becomes a general manager will receive third-round compensatory picks in each of the next two drafts.

• A team that loses two minority staffers to head coach and general manager positions would receive three third-round picks.”

Fontenot has been a major help for the Saints during his years with the team, helping scout and acquire valuable additions like linebackers Demario Davis and Kwon Alexander, cornerback Janoris Jenkins, guard Larry Warford, and tight end Jared Cook. He’s taken a “no stone left unturned” approach and has been an avid supporter of players making the jump from the Canadian league like Delvin Breaux, Adam Bighill, and Erik Harris, who has developed into a Las Vegas Raiders starter after initially signing with New Orleans.

So it will be interesting to see where he goes next. Earlier this year, the Saints promoted Fontenot to vice president and assistant G.M., the same titles held by college scouting director Jeff Ireland. Fontenot would be a huge potential loss, but the Saints have taken hits like this before; his predecessor Ryan Pace has been working as Chicago Bears general manager since 2015.

[listicle id=41069]

6 Saints coaches, staffers who should get buzz in the NFL’s next hiring cycle

The Saints could lose important members of the organization when the 2021 NFL hiring cycle kicks off, from Terry Fontenot to Dennis Allen.

Could this be the year the New Orleans Saints start to lose personnel to rival teams? With coaching staffs and front offices around the league already preparing for turnover in the offseason, it seems likely. Somehow half a dozen teams interviewed Saints assistants last year without hiring any of them away. Expect that to change as new opportunities present themselves to the people working behind the scenes in New Orleans that are hungry for more high-profile jobs in the NFL.

Others, like offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael Jr., haven’t shown as keen an interest; his interview for the Packers job last offseason was just the third time he’s seriously considered an opportunity with another team in 12 years with the Saints, having interviewed for head coaching positions with the Raiders and Bears in 2012 and 2013, respectively. It’s possible he puts his name out there again in 2021, but there appear to be other, more ambitious candidates in New Orleans. Here are six names we’ll be watching closely:

Candidates for the Detroit Lions general manager vacancy

Candidates for the Detroit Lions general manager vacancy.

The Detroit Lions fired general manager Bob Quinn on Saturday and one of the top priorities of the organization will be to find his replacement.

The Lions are in a unique situation, where Shelia Ford Hamp is still in her first year as principal owner, Rod Wood (the team president) mostly handles the business side of the operation, and they need to replace a GM and coach, where the trending names are mostly individuals who would also be new to their positions.

That’s why when Lions Wire editors Jeff Risdon and Erik Schlitt put together a Top-10 coaching list they included both first-year and veteran options. This same approach should be applied to the GM position and this list of available candidates will include both individuals who have experience and those who are considered rising stars in  NFL circles.