[2] Ireland began his professional career as the special teams coach at the University of North Texas from 1992 to 1993.

During this period, the team drafted four future-Pro Bowl selections: safety Roy Williams; offensive lineman Andre Gurode; cornerback Terence Newman; and tight end Jason Witten.

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.

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.

Public efforts to recruit free agent players were unsuccessful and Ireland's handling of his Dez Bryant interview was criticized.

[6] In 2011, some fans pitched in to have a plane fly over Sun Life Stadium reading: "MR ROSS: SAVE OUR DOLPHINS.

[8] 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".

[16] 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.

[17] Ireland is also the grandson of Jim Parmer, who played for the Philadelphia Eagles and was a personnel executive for the Chicago Bears.