Dave Ziegler

American football executive (born 1977)

American football player
Dave Ziegler
New Orleans Saints
Position:Advisor
Personal information
Born: (1977-09-07) September 7, 1977 (age 46)
Tallmadge, Ohio, U.S.
Career information
College:John Carroll
Career history
As a coach:
  • John Carroll (2004–2005)
    Graduate assistant
  • Iona (2006)
    Wide receivers/special teams coach
  • Chaparral HS (AZ) (2007–2009)
    Assistant coach
As an executive:
  • Denver Broncos (2010)
    Player personnel assistant
  • Denver Broncos (2011–2012)
    Scout
  • New England Patriots (2013–2015)
    Assistant director of pro scouting
  • New England Patriots (2016–2019)
    Director of pro personnel
  • New England Patriots (2020)
    Assistant director of player personnel
  • New England Patriots (2021)
    Director of player personnel
  • Las Vegas Raiders (2022–2023)
    General manager
  • New Orleans Saints (2024–present)
    Advisor
Career highlights and awards

David Ziegler (born September 7, 1977) is an American football executive who currently serves as an advisor for the New Orleans Saints. He began his career as a scout for the Denver Broncos in the early 2010s before becoming a senior personnel executive for the New England Patriots. Ziegler also worked two seasons as general manager of the Las Vegas Raiders in the early 2020s.

Early life

A native of Tallmadge, Ohio, Ziegler played college football at John Carroll University as a wide receiver, kick returner and punt returner. from 1997 to 2000. He was a three-time First Team All-Ohio Athletic Conference selection a kick and punt returner. He set school records for career punt return average (16.9), kick return average (34.4), punt return touchdowns (3), and kick return touchdowns (4).[1] He was teammates with Houston Texans' general manager Nick Caserio, former Las Vegas Raiders and Denver Broncos head coach Josh McDaniels, and NFL assistant coach Jerry Schuplinski.[2]

Coaching

After graduating from JCU in 2000, Ziegler worked as a teacher in Ohio and Arizona. He returned to John Carroll in 2004 as a graduate assistant.[3] After two seasons, Ziegler became the wide receivers and special teams at Iona College.[4] While at Iona, Ziegler supplemented his income by working as an extra in television shows.[3] In 2007, Ziegler joined the faculty at Chaparral High School as a guidance counselor and assistant football coach.[5][6][7]

Executive career

Denver Broncos

In 2010, Ziegler's former college roommate, Josh McDaniels, was named head coach of the Denver Broncos and brought Ziegler on as a player personnel assistant.[3] He was promoted to area scout in 2011 and to pro scout in 2012.[8][9]

New England Patriots

In 2013, Ziegler was hired by the New England Patriots as their assistant director of pro scouting, a position he held until 2015. In 2016, he was promoted to director of pro personnel. In 2020, Ziegler was promoted to assistant director of player personnel. In 2021, he was promoted to director of player personnel, replacing Nick Caserio following his departure to become the general manager of the Houston Texans.[10][11]

Las Vegas Raiders

On January 30, 2022, Ziegler was named the general manager of the Las Vegas Raiders.[12] On October 31, 2023, he was fired by the Raiders.[13]

New Orleans Saints

On February 26, 2024, the New Orleans Saints hired Ziegler to serve as an advisor to the team through the 2024 NFL draft.[14]

Personal life

Ziegler and his wife have three children.

References

  1. ^ "JCU Hall of Fame: Dave Ziegler". John Carroll University. Retrieved June 15, 2024.
  2. ^ "Dave Ziegler – Las Vegas Raiders". Raiders.com. Las Vegas Raiders. Retrieved May 27, 2022.
  3. ^ a b c "Tallmadge graduate shares NFL experience". Akron Beacon Journal. June 20, 2018. Retrieved June 15, 2024.
  4. ^ Champion, Aidan (February 26, 2023). "Dave Ziegler Explains His Journey to the NFL". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved June 15, 2024.
  5. ^ "Two Roads, One Destination". Las Vegas Raiders. Retrieved June 15, 2024.
  6. ^ Reed, Tashan (March 3, 2022). "Raiders general manager Dave Ziegler 'took the stairs, not the elevator' to find NFL success". The Athletic. Retrieved June 15, 2024.
  7. ^ Harmon, Collin (February 4, 2022). "From Chaparral HS guidance counselor to Las Vegas Raiders GM". ABC 15 Arizona. Retrieved June 15, 2024.
  8. ^ DiLalla, Aric (January 9, 2021). "Broncos interview New England's Dave Ziegler for GM opening". Denver Broncos. Retrieved January 29, 2022.
  9. ^ Callahan, Andrew (March 1, 2021). "Meet Dave Ziegler, the man Bill Belichick chose to help rebuild the Patriots". Boston Herald. Retrieved January 29, 2022.
  10. ^ "Houston Texans Hire Nick Caserio as General Manager". Houston Texans. January 7, 2021. Retrieved January 29, 2022.
  11. ^ Buchmasser, Bernd (February 26, 2021). "Dave Ziegler on taking over for Nick Caserio in the Patriots' front office: 'An exciting opportunity'". PatsPulpit.com. Retrieved January 29, 2022.
  12. ^ "Raiders hire Dave Ziegler as General Manager". Las Vegas Raiders. January 30, 2022. Archived from the original on January 30, 2022. Retrieved January 30, 2022.
  13. ^ "The Las Vegas Raiders relieve Josh McDaniels and David Ziegler of their duties". Raiders.com. October 31, 2023. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
  14. ^ "Report: New Orleans Saints To Hire Dave Ziegler". si.com. Retrieved March 1, 2024.
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Las Vegas Raiders general managers
Formerly the Oakland Raiders (1960–1981, 1995–2019) and Los Angeles Raiders (1982–1994)

# denotes de facto general manager; * denotes interim general manager