University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Soccer
Ireland, John
John Ireland
- Title:
- Assistant Director of Athletics for Athletic Performance
- Email:
- john.ireland@louisiana.edu
- Phone:
- (337) 482-6433
In a career that has spanned 20+ years in professional sports, John Ireland begins his third season with the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns as Assistant Director of Athletics for Athletic Performance.
Ireland has coached and consulted in a variety of sports including Major League Soccer (MLS); Championship 2010, English Premier League (EPL), Major League Baseball (MLB), National Football League (NFL), National Hockey League (NHL), National Lacrosse League (NLL); Championship 2006 and US Olympic Track Cycling.
Before immigrating from Aberdeen, Scotland to the U.S. in 1997, Ireland received his undergraduate degree B.Sc. (Honors) Physical Education and Sport Science from the world-renowned Loughborough University in England, and a postgraduate degree M.Sc. (1st Class Honors) Performance Coaching with a focus on sports technology and analytics from Setanta College in Ireland.
Ireland is married to his wife, Tammy, and they are the parents of two children, Iain & Macey.
Career Highlights
• 2020 Nashville SC reached MLS Eastern Conference semi-finals. Becoming the first MLS expansion team in 22 years to go that deep into the playoffs. Joining up again with Head Coach Gary Smith, Ireland was Head of Performance and challenged with not only building out the physical development of a first-year team, but of navigating the club through the Covid pandemic and an unprecedented three pre-seasons to get 2020 season underway. A couple of the athletes Ireland coached were national team players - USA Walker Zimmerman and Canadian team Alistair Johnston.
• From 2014-2017, Ireland was a member of USA staff "Dream Team" behind “Operation 4:12” and unparalleled Worlds & Olympic success for USA Woman’s Track Cycling. This included winning the first-ever World Championship title in the team pursuit and two Olympic silver medals in Rio 2016. Ireland supported athletes such as decorated riders Sarah Hammer and Chloe Dygert.
• Assisted Colorado Rockies in creating a fulltime RA chef and helped adjust team practice times based on player, physiological and team travel needs. I worked closely with team medical staff and players such as Nolan Arenado and DJ LeMahieu.
• Portland Timbers (Major League Soccer) in 2012. Cascadia Cup Winners 2012.
• Colorado Rapids MLS from 2000-2004 and again 2010-2012 (2010 MLS Cup Champions). Supporting Head Coach Gary Smith as first-team performance coach during 2010 season, the excellent level of the players' conditioning under my teaching contributed greatly to team cohesion and the Rapids first-ever MLS Championship with an extra time 2-1 win over FC Dallas.
• LA Galaxy MLS in 2008. I was involved all aspects of performance training along with prehab and regeneration techniques, meal planning & schedules for team travel. I worked with soccer legends such as David Beckham, Landon Donovan, and Ruud Gullit.
• Derby County Football Club in EPL 2007. A challenging season on many levels for the team, but an incredible learning curve for me that continues to shape my career. Heading up performance I looked after all aspects of exercise function: athletic performance measures, fitness conditioning and oversaw sports nutrition for the 1st team squad. Plus, I oversaw the physical preparation of youth academy teams and the building of an academy fitness conditioning area.
• Colorado Mammoth in NLL 2005 – 2007 (2006 National Lacrosse League Champions). In 2006 the players' high level of conditioning under my tutorage greatly helped the Mammoth win their first NLL World Championship. They defeated number 1 seed Buffalo Bandits in their own arena 16-9 to win The Champions Cup. I also enjoyed working closely with lacrosse legend Gary Gaits.
Ireland has coached and consulted in a variety of sports including Major League Soccer (MLS); Championship 2010, English Premier League (EPL), Major League Baseball (MLB), National Football League (NFL), National Hockey League (NHL), National Lacrosse League (NLL); Championship 2006 and US Olympic Track Cycling.
Before immigrating from Aberdeen, Scotland to the U.S. in 1997, Ireland received his undergraduate degree B.Sc. (Honors) Physical Education and Sport Science from the world-renowned Loughborough University in England, and a postgraduate degree M.Sc. (1st Class Honors) Performance Coaching with a focus on sports technology and analytics from Setanta College in Ireland.
Ireland is married to his wife, Tammy, and they are the parents of two children, Iain & Macey.
Career Highlights
• 2020 Nashville SC reached MLS Eastern Conference semi-finals. Becoming the first MLS expansion team in 22 years to go that deep into the playoffs. Joining up again with Head Coach Gary Smith, Ireland was Head of Performance and challenged with not only building out the physical development of a first-year team, but of navigating the club through the Covid pandemic and an unprecedented three pre-seasons to get 2020 season underway. A couple of the athletes Ireland coached were national team players - USA Walker Zimmerman and Canadian team Alistair Johnston.
• From 2014-2017, Ireland was a member of USA staff "Dream Team" behind “Operation 4:12” and unparalleled Worlds & Olympic success for USA Woman’s Track Cycling. This included winning the first-ever World Championship title in the team pursuit and two Olympic silver medals in Rio 2016. Ireland supported athletes such as decorated riders Sarah Hammer and Chloe Dygert.
• Assisted Colorado Rockies in creating a fulltime RA chef and helped adjust team practice times based on player, physiological and team travel needs. I worked closely with team medical staff and players such as Nolan Arenado and DJ LeMahieu.
• Portland Timbers (Major League Soccer) in 2012. Cascadia Cup Winners 2012.
• Colorado Rapids MLS from 2000-2004 and again 2010-2012 (2010 MLS Cup Champions). Supporting Head Coach Gary Smith as first-team performance coach during 2010 season, the excellent level of the players' conditioning under my teaching contributed greatly to team cohesion and the Rapids first-ever MLS Championship with an extra time 2-1 win over FC Dallas.
• LA Galaxy MLS in 2008. I was involved all aspects of performance training along with prehab and regeneration techniques, meal planning & schedules for team travel. I worked with soccer legends such as David Beckham, Landon Donovan, and Ruud Gullit.
• Derby County Football Club in EPL 2007. A challenging season on many levels for the team, but an incredible learning curve for me that continues to shape my career. Heading up performance I looked after all aspects of exercise function: athletic performance measures, fitness conditioning and oversaw sports nutrition for the 1st team squad. Plus, I oversaw the physical preparation of youth academy teams and the building of an academy fitness conditioning area.
• Colorado Mammoth in NLL 2005 – 2007 (2006 National Lacrosse League Champions). In 2006 the players' high level of conditioning under my tutorage greatly helped the Mammoth win their first NLL World Championship. They defeated number 1 seed Buffalo Bandits in their own arena 16-9 to win The Champions Cup. I also enjoyed working closely with lacrosse legend Gary Gaits.
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Monday, September 01
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