Randy Mueller

Last updated
Randy Mueller
Personal information
Born: (1961-06-03) June 3, 1961 (age 62)
St. Maries, Idaho, U.S.
Career information
High school: St. Maries (ID)
College: Linfield
Career history
As an executive:
Career highlights and awards
  • NFL Executive of the Year (2000)

Randy Mueller (born June 3, 1961) is an American football executive who recently served as the director of pro personnel for the Seattle Sea Dragons of the XFL. He previously served as the general manager for the National Football League's Miami Dolphins and New Orleans Saints, [1] along with the Alliance of American Football's Salt Lake Stallions. He has over two decades of NFL front office experience.

Contents

Early years

Born and raised in St. Maries, Idaho, Mueller played quarterback at St. Maries High School and Linfield College in McMinnville, Oregon. [2] As a senior in 1982, he led his team to the NAIA Division II national championship and was named Most Valuable Player of the title game. [2] [3] [4]

Professional career

Seattle Seahawks

Mueller began his front office career in 1983 as an assistant in pro personnel with the Seattle Seahawks. [2] He was promoted the position of pro personnel director in 1990 — a position he held until 1995. At that time he was promoted to vice president of football operations and held that post through 1999. First he traded quarterback Rick Mirer to the Chicago Bears for a first round pick, then Mueller selected Florida State offensive tackle Walter Jones with the sixth-overall pick in the 1997 NFL Draft.

New Orleans Saints and ESPN

In 2000, Mueller became general manager of football operations for the New Orleans Saints. During his first year with the team, the Saints won the NFC West title and went on to win their first playoff game in franchise history. As a result, he was named Sporting News NFL Executive of the Year in 2000. The 2001 team could not improve, however, winning just seven games while selling only 25,000 season tickets for the following season to come, lowest in team history.

In 2002, Mueller traded running back Ricky Williams and the team's fourth-round selection in the 2002 NFL Draft to the Miami Dolphins in exchange for their first- and fourth-round picks in 2002 and a conditional third-round pick in the 2003 NFL Draft, which became a first-round pick after Williams ran for over 1,800 yards in his first season with the Dolphins. In May 2002, he was fired in what he called a surprise; owner Tom Benson called the firing one due to a "communication problem" in the decision process of making deals by management. He had been offered an extension on his contract (one year remaining) before the firing. [5] [6] [7]

From 2002 to 2005, Mueller served as an NFL analyst for ESPN.

Miami Dolphins

On June 6, 2005 Mueller was hired as the general manager for the Miami Dolphins. Because then head coach Nick Saban had the final say on all roster moves, unlike most NFL general managers Mueller did not have control over player personnel decisions. After Saban's departure in January 2007, Mueller's authority increased as he took over responsibility for player personnel decisions. Mueller was also heavily involved in the team's search for its next head coach and eventual hiring of San Diego Chargers offensive coordinator Cam Cameron. On June 26, 2007 Mueller signed a contract extension that was expected to keep him with the team as general manager through at least 2009. [8] Mueller was also to receive a salary adjustment, details of which were not publicly unavailable. [8] On December 31, 2007 ESPN.com reported that Bill Parcells had fired Mueller. [9]

San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers

Mueller joined the San Diego Chargers on April 29, 2008 as senior executive. [10]

Alternative football leagues

In 2018, Mueller was hired by the Salt Lake Stallions of the newly-created Alliance of American Football (AAF). [11] After the AAF folded, he joined another fledgling league in the XFL, becoming the Houston Roughnecks' director of pro personnel in 2019 [12] and later with the Seattle Dragons in 2022. On January 1, 2024, it was announced the Sea Dragons would not be a part of the UFL Merger. [13]

Personal

Mueller and his wife Lori have a daughter named Riley. His younger brother, Rick Mueller, is a longtime professional football executive, most recently as director of player personnel with the Arlington Renegades [14]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bill Parcells</span> American football coach (born 1941)

Duane Charles "Bill" Parcells is a former American football coach who served as a head coach in the National Football League (NFL) for 19 seasons. He came to prominence as the head coach of the New York Giants from 1983 to 1990, where he won two Super Bowl titles. Parcells was later the head coach of the New England Patriots from 1993 to 1996, the New York Jets from 1997 to 2000, and the Dallas Cowboys from 2003 to 2006. Nicknamed "the Big Tuna", he is the only NFL coach to lead four different franchises to the playoffs and three to a conference championship game.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mike Riley (American football)</span> American gridiron football player and coach (born 1953)

Michael Joseph Riley is an American football coach who was most recently the head coach of the New Jersey Generals of the United States Football League (USFL). He has previously served as the head coach of two college football programs: Oregon State and Nebraska (2015–2017). Riley has also been the head coach of teams in four different professional leagues: the Canadian Football League (CFL), World League of American Football (WLAF), National Football League (NFL), and Alliance of American Football (AAF). He played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide in the 1970s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zach Thomas</span> American football player (born 1973)

Zachary Michael Thomas is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL) for 13 seasons. He played college football for the Texas Tech Red Raiders, and was recognized as a unanimous All-American. He was selected in the fifth round, 22nd pick, in the 1996 NFL draft by the Miami Dolphins, and played for the Dolphins in his first 12 seasons in the NFL, before playing his 13th and final season with the Dallas Cowboys.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trent Green</span> American football player (born 1970)

Trent Jason Green is a former American football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for fifteen seasons. He played college football for Indiana University. He was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the eighth round of the 1993 NFL draft, and also played for the Washington Redskins, St. Louis Rams, Kansas City Chiefs, and Miami Dolphins. He also played in the CFL for the BC Lions. He earned a Super Bowl ring with the Rams in Super Bowl XXXIV over the Tennessee Titans and was selected to two Pro Bowls with the Chiefs.

The 2003 NFL season was the 84th regular season of the National Football League (NFL).

Hudson Houck is an American football coach and college player who was an offensive line coach for a six teams of the National Football League (NFL) over a 40-year coaching career. Houck retired on January 10, 2012.

The Miami Dolphins are a professional American football franchise which competes in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the league's American Football Conference (AFC) East division. The team's headquarters, stadium and training facilities are all co-located in Miami Gardens, Florida. The Dolphins' team was founded by attorney-politician Joe Robbie and actor-comedian Danny Thomas. The Dolphins began play in the American Football League (AFL) in 1966. South Florida had not had a professional football team since the days of the Miami Seahawks, who played in the All-America Football Conference (AAFC) East Division in 1946 before becoming the first incarnation of the Baltimore Colts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jeff Ireland</span> American football executive (born 1970)

Jeff Ireland is an American football executive who is the assistant general manager and college scouting director for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League (NFL). He previously served as the general manager of the Miami Dolphins from 2008 to 2014 and also served for the Dallas Cowboys and Kansas City Chiefs in various executive roles. Before his career as a football executive, Ireland was an assistant football coach at the University of North Texas, and a player at Baylor University. Ireland was also a childhood ball boy for the Chicago Bears.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2008 Miami Dolphins season</span> 43rd season in franchise history; greatest single-season turnaround in NFL history

The 2008 Miami Dolphins season was the franchise's 39th season in the National Football League (NFL), the 43rd overall and the first under new head coach Tony Sparano. During the regular season the Dolphins completed the greatest single-season turnaround in NFL history, going from a 1–15 regular season record in 2007 to an 11–5 record in 2008. The previous record for most improved team one year after a 1–15 season belonged to the 1997 New York Jets, who went 9–7. The 1999 Indianapolis Colts were the only other team to accomplish a 10-game turnaround, winning 13 games after winning 3 in 1998, which was also the first year of the Peyton Manning era. Additionally, Miami won the AFC East, becoming the first team in NFL history to win their division after only having one win the previous season. The division title also snapped the Patriots' 5-year streak of winning the AFC East. Their season would come to an end in the Wild Card round when they were defeated by the Baltimore Ravens, which coincidentally, was also the only team they beat last season in overtime to save the Dolphins from suffering a winless season. With their 11–5 record and division title, the Dolphins had hopes of achieving their first playoff victory since 2000, or to possibly become the first team ever to make the Super Bowl after winning only one game the previous season, similar to how the Carolina Panthers went 1–15 in 2001 and made Super Bowl XXXVIII just two seasons later.

Donald Francis Reese was an American professional football player who was a defensive end in the National Football League (NFL) and United States Football League (USFL). He played professionally for the Miami Dolphins, the New Orleans Saints and the San Diego Chargers and the Birmingham Stallions of the USFL.

Willie L. Lewis is an American football executive and former professional player. He was most recently the Director of Player Personnel for the San Antonio Brahmas of the XFL and Assistant Director of Pro Personnel for the Houston Roughnecks of the XFL. He was the general manager for the Memphis Express of the Alliance of American Football (AAF). He previously served as an executive in the National Football League (NFL) for 20 years, including tenures with the Seattle Seahawks and Kansas City Chiefs. Most notably, he was the Seahawks vice president of football operations from 2010 to 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dallas Thomas</span> American football player (born 1989)

Dallas Treymell Thomas is a former American football guard. He was selected by the Miami Dolphins in the third round of the 2013 NFL Draft. He played college football at Tennessee.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Steve Williams (cornerback)</span> American football player (born 1991)

Steven Dwain Williams is a former American football cornerback. He played college football at California. He was selected by the San Diego Chargers in the fifth round of the 2013 NFL draft.

Terry Poole is an American football offensive tackle who is a free agent. He played college football at San Diego State and Monterey Peninsula College.

Christopher Grier is an American football executive who is the general manager of the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League (NFL), a position he has held since 2016. Having been with the organization since 2000, Grier held various scouting roles with increasing responsibility with the Dolphins. He also has past experience in the personnel department of the New England Patriots, having served there from 1994–1999.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ron Selesky</span> American football player and coach (born 1965)

Ronald R. Selesky Jr. is a former American football center and arena football coach. He played college football at North Central College and was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL). He also served as the Director of Football Operations for the Birmingham Iron of the Alliance of American Football (AAF), and held the same position with the Tampa Bay Vipers of the XFL in 2020 prior to the league folding.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kalen Ballage</span> American football player (born 1995)

Kalen Ballage is an American football running back who is a free agent. He played college football at Arizona State and was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the fourth round of the 2018 NFL Draft. He also previously played for the New York Jets, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Los Angeles Chargers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jamar Summers</span> American football player (born 1995)

Jamar Summers is an American football cornerback for the Arlington Renegades of the United Football League (UFL). He played college football at University of Connecticut.

Larnel Coleman is an American football offensive tackle for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football at UMass, before being selected by the Miami Dolphins in the seventh round of the 2021 NFL Draft.

Bobby Grier is an American football executive and coach.

References

  1. ↑ Darlington, Jeff. "Dolphins GM Mueller is fired". The Miami Herald. Archived from the original on May 26, 2021. Retrieved 2007-12-31.
  2. 1 2 3 Grummert, Dale (August 11, 1985). "Passing fancy: For Mueller, working with Seahawks suits him fine". Lewiston Morning Tribune. p. 1C.
  3. ↑ Turcotte, Steve (December 12, 1982). "Linfield wins NAIA title in familiar fashion, 33-15". Eugene Register-Guard. (Oregon). p. 3B.
  4. ↑ "Mueller leads Linfield to title". Lewiston Morning Tribune. Associated Press. December 12, 1982. p. 6B.
  5. ↑ https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/2002/0509/1380464.html
  6. ↑ https://www.espn.com/nfl/columns/clayton_john/1381025.html
  7. ↑ https://www.canalstreetchronicles.com/platform/amp/2020/2/12/21132039/life-of-a-new-orleans-saints-randy-mueller-xfl-coach-interview-john-butler
  8. 1 2 "Dolphins extend GM Randy Mueller's contract". Sun-Sentinel.com. Retrieved 26 June 2007.[ permanent dead link ]
  9. ↑ "Parcells fires Mueller, to meet with Cameron Tuesday". espn.com news services. 1 January 2008. Retrieved 16 January 2008.
  10. ↑ "Chargers lose Nix to retirement; add Mueller". Archived from the original on May 17, 2008. Retrieved 30 April 2008.
  11. ↑ Harper, Mitch. "General Manager of The Salt Lake Stallions, Randy Mueller joined The Bill Riley Show – ESPN700". ESPN700. Retrieved 16 October 2018.
  12. ↑ Gantt, Darin (June 7, 2019). "Randy Mueller to work for Houston XFL franchise". Profootballtalk.com . Retrieved October 15, 2019.
  13. ↑ Alexander, Mookie (2023-12-31). "Report: RIP, Seattle Sea Dragons?!". Field Gulls. Retrieved 2024-01-01.
  14. ↑ "XFL Finalizes Coaching and Football Operations Staffs for All Eight Teams". www.xfl.com. Retrieved 2023-03-23.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.