Cowboys name new chief scout
By Clarence E. Hill Jr.
Star-Telegram Staff Writer
IRVING - As Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said, Thursday's official announcement of Jeff Ireland being appointed vice president of college and pro scouting was "the worst kept secret in the organization."
Even though the Cowboys never admitted as much, sources long confirmed that Ireland moved into former scouting director Larry Lacewell's office shortly after he retired in January and began assuming his duties.
With the announcement, Jones made "something official that was long overdue."
The two-month wait did not temper Ireland's excitement over a job that he was seemingly born to do.
His grandfather Jim Parmer, a longtime scout with the Chicago Bears, had him looking at film at the age of 12. His stepfather, E.J. Holub, played linebacker and center for the Kansas City Chiefs and is a member of the Chiefs Hall of Fame.
"For obvious reasons, it's a great opportunity for me," said Ireland, 35, speaking publicly for the first time as the Cowboys' chief scout.
"My background is scouting. The acquisition of football players is what I know. I have been waiting for this opportunity since I was 12 years old as a ball boy with Chicago Bears. I've got a football family. It's been in my life since I was 8. What I know is football."
Ireland, a native of Abilene and a kicker at Baylor from 1988 to '91, started his career in scouting with the National Football Scouting Combine in 1994. He spent three years there, then four as an area scout with his stepfather's Chiefs before joining the Cowboys as a national scout in 2001.
He made an immediate impression on Lacewell, who told Jones early on that Ireland had a good "combination of knowledge and evaluation skills" and was "someone who could someday run this whole show in the future."
Jones also became a fan of Ireland's work.
"It's very important to me and this organization that we select someone that we could look to work with for a long time," Jones said. "His skill in evaluating football players is beyond any question as far as I'm concerned."
Ireland will report directly to Jones. However, his ability to work with coach Bill Parcells was most crucial to his appointment as Cowboys chief scout.
It's no secret that Parcells' overwhelming influence in the organization since his arrival in 2003 played a part in Lacewell's departure. Lacewell acknowledged that his role was significantly reduced the past two years.
While Parcells will still have the strongest say in the draft room, Ireland has undoubtedly gained his respect.
"Bill has gotten acquainted with Jeff over the last couple of years and really endorsed [ him] and was excited about working with Jeff," Jones said. "I've had the opportunity to be around Jeff a little more than Bill had, but that really influenced that timing more than anything. This is an opportunity for the Cowboys as well as Jeff. It's a good situation."
Parmer was clearly Ireland's biggest scouting influence, helping get him a job as ball boy in training camp for the Bears for six years. During that time, grandfather made grandson sit in the film room and watch tape.
"That kept [me] off the streets, and it was how I got started in scouting," Ireland said.
Also making an impact on his career were Lacewell, who was "not one of those guys who sat back in his office and closed the door;" former Bears coach Mike Ditka; New York Jets general manager Terry Bradway and San Diego Chargers coach Marty Schottenheimer when they were with the Chiefs; and Duke Babb of National Football Scouting.
Ireland said he has the chance to learn from Parcells and maybe teach Parcells a little of what he knows.
"To sit around there talking football and debating the way we debate in the war room is a great experience," Ireland said. "I think Bill learns from me just like I learn from Bill. We toss things around and sometimes it might be more than tossing. The opportunity to get the information on the table is a key working for Bill and for Jerry."
As far as his philosophy in shaping the Cowboys' roster is concerned, Ireland said he wants smart football players, who have character on and off the field.
"First of all is character," Ireland said. "I want guys good in the locker room. I want leaders. I want guys smart enough to not just handle the football side of it, but the pressures of being a professional athlete. That falls in line with what Jerry is looking for and what Bill is looking for."
Road plans
With the Cowboys having back-to-back road games against San Francisco and Oakland, Sept. 25 and Oct. 2, Jones said the team is considering staying in California between games. "We have batted it around," Jones said. "Bill had some success doing that, I think when he was with the [New York] Giants. We got a set of facilities, out in California with training camp."
IN THE KNOW
Jeff Ireland résumé
NFL experience: National scout for Cowboys, 2001-05; area scout for Chiefs, 1997-2000; National Football Scouting Combine, 1994-96.
Coaching: North Texas special teams coach, 1991-92.
College: Baylor kicker, 1988-91; Bears all-time leader in field goals made; had 58-yarder against Rice in 1991.
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