Who Is Jon-Eric Sullivan? Miami Dolphins’ New General Manager

Jon-Eric Sullivan is an accomplished American football executive best known for his long tenure with the Green Bay Packers and his recent appointment as the general manager of the Miami Dolphins. After more than two decades rising through the Packers’ scouting and personnel ranks, he became one of the most respected evaluators in the NFL. His hiring on January 9, 2026, marked a pivotal moment for Miami as the organization entered a full structural reset following the dismissal of both its previous general manager and head coach.

Quick Bio – Jon-Eric Sullivan

Category	Details
Full Name	Jon-Eric Sullivan
Profession	NFL Executive, General Manager of the Miami Dolphins
Known For	22-year career with the Green Bay Packers; promoted to Dolphins GM in 2026
Birth Year	1976 or 1977
Age (2026)	48–49 years old
Birthplace	Columbia, South Carolina, USA
Nationality	American
Height	5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Weight	170 lb (77 kg)
Parents	Father: Jerry Sullivan (NFL/college coach); Mother: Connie Sullivan
Siblings	Matthew Sullivan, Allison Sullivan
Wife	Jennifer Sullivan (daughter of NFL coach Pete Hoener)
Children	Samantha, Mia, and Cecilia
Education	Gardner-Webb University (B.A. Social Science, 2000); previously University of South Carolina
High School	Catholic High School (LA); Fork Union Military Academy (VA)
NFL Career Start	2003 (Green Bay Packers intern)
Previous Roles	VP of Player Personnel, Co-Director of Player Personnel, Director of College Scouting
Net Worth (2026 Estimate)	Not public; GM salary range typically $3–$10M annually
Current Residence	Miami, Florida

Early Life and Family Background of Jon-Eric Sullivan

Jon-Eric Sullivan was born in 1976 or 1977 in Columbia, South Carolina, and grew up in an environment steeped in football tradition. His childhood was strongly influenced by his father’s long coaching career, which placed him in locker rooms, practice fields, and film rooms from an early age. Much of his youth was spent around LSU, where his father served as a wide receivers coach. These early experiences surrounded him with elite athletes, high-level coaching strategies, and the daily rhythm of football culture.

Sullivan’s family life was built on mobility and adaptation. As his father moved between coaching positions, Jon-Eric learned early how to adjust to new communities and environments. While the frequent relocations could have been challenging, they helped shape the maturity, resilience, and adaptability that later defined his leadership and front-office style.

His early athletic development began in third grade, when he first started playing football. Already immersed in a football-centric household, he gravitated naturally toward the sport, eventually emerging as a standout athlete at both wide receiver and defensive back. His young years set the tone for a life shaped by discipline, competitiveness, and a deep understanding of the game’s strategic layers.

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Jon-Eric Sullivan’s Parents

Father: Jerry Sullivan

Jerry Sullivan enjoyed a distinguished 40-plus-year career as both a college and NFL wide receivers coach. Widely respected for his technical instruction and mentorship skills, Jerry coached at LSU, Arizona, Jacksonville, Miami, and several other stops across professional and collegiate football. He retired in 2021 after decades developing players and establishing a reputation as one of the sport’s most reliable, detail-oriented receiver coaches. His influence on his son was substantial. He introduced Jon-Eric to the game’s nuances early, offering access to film rooms, coaching philosophies, and the professional expectations necessary to thrive in football.

Jerry’s leadership style—precise, demanding, and deeply committed to development—shaped Jon-Eric’s professional values. The two share a football lineage grounded in loyalty, discipline, and technical excellence.

Mother: Connie Sullivan

Jon-Eric’s mother, Connie Sullivan, remains more private than her husband, but available information highlights her as a steady presence throughout the family’s coaching journey. Connie met Jerry in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, during his early years coaching at LSU. Together they raised three children—Jon-Eric, Matthew, and Allison—while navigating the frequent moves that come with a football coaching career. The couple currently resides in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. Although she maintains a low public profile, Connie’s role in providing stability across decades of football transitions is widely acknowledged within the family narrative.

Family Structure and Coaching Legacy

The Sullivan household was grounded in football, teaching values that extended beyond the field. With a father who spent more than four decades coaching professionally and a mother who supported the demands of a constantly shifting career landscape, Jon-Eric grew up attuned to the pressures, expectations, and rewards of the sport. His father-in-law, longtime NFL coach Pete Hoener, expands the family’s coaching lineage, making football an intergenerational identity.

This environment helped Jon-Eric cultivate a mindset shaped by film study, game strategy, work ethic, and emotional endurance—traits that later served him exceptionally well in scouting and personnel leadership roles. The family legacy positioned him naturally for a lifelong career in the sport.

Education and Academic Journey

Sullivan’s academic path began at Catholic High School in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where he played wide receiver and caught passes from future NFL star Warrick Dunn. His father’s move to a position at Ohio State caused a period of instability, during which Jon-Eric stayed with friends and struggled academically. Recognizing the need for structure, his father enrolled him at Fork Union Military Academy in Virginia.

Fork Union marked a turning point. The school’s disciplined environment reshaped his academic habits and athletic trajectory. As a junior, he excelled at cornerback, leading the state with nine interceptions and earning all-state honors. As a senior, he transitioned back to wide receiver and again achieved all-state recognition.

His impressive performance attracted interest from multiple college programs, ultimately leading him to the University of South Carolina, where he joined the Gamecocks. After leaving the team in 1995 due to personal regret—a decision he later called “the worst mistake of my life”—he returned in 1996 as a walk-on. He contributed modestly as a backup wide receiver in 1997.

Seeking a stronger opportunity, he transferred to Gardner-Webb University for the 1998 and 1999 seasons. His senior year featured 43 receptions and an all-conference selection, cementing his status as a reliable collegiate player. He graduated in 2000 with a Bachelor of Arts in Social Science and was later inducted into Gardner-Webb’s Gallery of Distinguished Alumni in 2021.

Jon-Eric Sullivan’s Age, Height, and Physical Appearance

As of 2026, Jon-Eric Sullivan is 48–49 years old, depending on his exact birthdate. He stands 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighs approximately 170 pounds. While he is not a public-facing figure in the same way players or television personalities are, his athletic build from his playing days reflects a long connection to football. Additional physical details are not publicly documented, as Sullivan maintains a professional but low-profile public image.

Early Football Career and College Playing Years

Football remained a constant throughout Sullivan’s early education. His years at Fork Union Military Academy showcased his versatility and competitiveness. Excelling at both defensive back and wide receiver, he demonstrated a keen understanding of positional responsibilities on both sides of the ball. These skills translated into opportunities at South Carolina, where he briefly stepped away before returning with renewed commitment.

His transfer to Gardner-Webb allowed him a greater stage to refine his route running, field awareness, and work ethic. By his senior season, his performance earned all-conference honors. Although he did not pursue professional playing opportunities, his collegiate playing career gave him firsthand insight into evaluating talent—an asset that later shaped his success as a scout and personnel executive.

Transition from Player to Coach and Early Work Life

After college, Sullivan immediately turned to coaching, serving as a student assistant and wide receivers coach at Gardner-Webb. Despite the “student assistant” title, he acted as the primary receivers coach, managing drills, breakdowns, and positional development. His coaching experience offered early exposure to talent evaluation and leadership.

However, the pressures of coaching life temporarily led him away from football. He moved into business roles, working in sales and credit administration at GMAC Insurance and later as a sales representative for L.G. Balfour Company. These years outside football broadened his management and communication skills. Yet the desire to return to the sport persisted. In 2003, he re-entered football through a training camp internship with the Green Bay Packers—a decision that would define the next two decades of his career.

Rise in Football Operations and Scouting Career

Sullivan’s rise within the Packers organization reflects dedication, consistency, and an impressive talent for evaluating players. After his 2003 training camp internship, he joined the operations department in 2004 and quickly became a trusted presence. His assignments included National Football Scouting responsibilities, where he evaluated senior prospects for the NFL Scouting Combine.

Between 2008 and 2011, he served as the Central Plains region scout, identifying talent across a competitive football corridor. From 2012 to 2015, he transitioned to the Southeast region, one of the nation’s deepest recruiting areas. His detailed assessments and consistent recommendations earned him significant respect internally.

In 2016, he was promoted to director of college scouting, where he oversaw the entire collegiate evaluation process. His role expanded in 2018 when he became co-director of player personnel, working alongside Jon Wojciechowski and contributing heavily to the Packers’ draft and roster strategies. By 2022, he advanced to vice president of player personnel, serving as general manager Brian Gutekunst’s most trusted advisor.

His influence guided key draft decisions, organizational planning, and personnel analysis. Analysts often described him as “indispensable” within the Packers’ front office.

Why Jon-Eric Sullivan Became Miami Dolphins GM (Trending Topic)

Sullivan’s appointment as the Miami Dolphins’ general manager on January 9, 2026, positioned him at the center of NFL discussions. Miami had entered a crucial reset phase, having dismissed head coach Mike McDaniel and earlier parting ways with GM Chris Grier. With the organization facing uncertainty, Sullivan became the foundational figure tasked with rebuilding its identity.

His selection followed a competitive process led by Troy Aikman, and he was reportedly a finalist alongside candidates from the Titans, Jets, and Raiders. His reputation for developing strong draft classes and aligning team philosophy with personnel execution made him an ideal candidate for Miami’s renewed vision.

Fans and analysts focused heavily on his appointment because his arrival signaled strategic change. His decisions regarding the next head coach, roster construction, and the future of quarterback Tua Tagovailoa will shape the Dolphins’ trajectory for years.

Career Responsibilities and Vision as Miami Dolphins General Manager

Taking over as Miami’s GM placed Sullivan in one of the league’s most demanding leadership roles. He enters at a time when expectations are high and the organization seeks to reset its culture, structure, and long-term strategy. One of his immediate duties is selecting a head coach capable of developing a competitive identity and maximizing roster potential.

Sullivan’s proven eye for collegiate and professional talent positions him well to strengthen the Dolphins’ draft outcomes. With player evaluation at the core of his expertise, he is expected to emphasize disciplined drafting, value-driven free agency decisions, and internal player development. His leadership style—steady, methodical, and informed—aligns with Miami’s need for organizational stability after years of inconsistency.

Jon’s Personal Life

Sullivan’s private life contrasts sharply with the public nature of his career. He is married to Jennifer Sullivan, the daughter of veteran NFL coach Pete Hoener. Their marriage connects two established football families, each with decades of coaching tradition. Together, they have three daughters—Samantha, Mia, and Cecilia—who grew up surrounded by football culture.

Despite his increasing prominence, Sullivan maintains a low personal profile, rarely appearing in media outside professional contexts. His quiet, grounded approach earns respect from colleagues and helps him navigate the pressures of NFL leadership with poise and humility.

Jon-Eric Sullivan’s Children

Jon-Eric and Jennifer share three daughters. Samantha, the eldest, was 13 as of 2016, followed by Mia, 11, and Cecilia, 9. Their ages today reflect the passage of time through Sullivan’s career, marking moments from his days as a regional scout to his current executive position. Although the family remains private, their stability and presence have shaped his work-life balance and commitment to strong leadership.

Residence and Lifestyle

Before accepting the Dolphins’ general manager position, the Sullivan family lived in both Green Bay, Wisconsin, and Charlotte, North Carolina, during different phases of his career. His relocation to Miami marks a new chapter professionally and personally. His lifestyle reflects discipline, routine, and a focus on family rather than public attention. With a background shaped by football-centric homes and dynamic environments, he embraces a grounded and structured approach to daily living.

Jon-Eric Sullivan’s Net Worth and Financial Standing

While Jon-Eric Sullivan’s exact net worth is not publicly disclosed, his long career in the NFL suggests stable financial growth. During his years with the Green Bay Packers, he earned competitive salaries consistent with director-level and vice-presidential front-office positions. His new role as the Miami Dolphins’ general manager elevates him into one of the NFL’s highest-paying executive tiers. Typical GM salaries range between $3 million and $10 million annually, placing him comfortably among the league’s top executives.

In a broader family context, his father’s coaching career included significant income, such as a $460,000 LSU contract in 2018, along with retirement benefits accrued after decades coaching in college and the NFL. Together, these details reflect a stable professional and financial foundation.

Professional Reputation and Role in Packers’ Success

Sullivan’s tenure with the Packers left a lasting imprint. His involvement in the NFL Scouting Combine, regional scouting networks, and draft evaluation processes ensured consistency and accuracy in the team’s personnel strategies. His work contributed significantly to the Packers’ competitive sustainability, and his departure was seen as a substantial loss for Green Bay.

Within league circles, he is known for detailed player analysis, steady leadership, and collaborative decision-making. These strengths made him one of the league’s most sought-after executive candidates during recent hiring cycles.

Legacy, Impact, and Influence in the NFL

Although his career as an NFL general manager has just begun, Sullivan’s impact is already notable. His rise from training camp intern to GM exemplifies perseverance, discipline, and mastery of the personnel craft. Jon approach to leadership is expected to influence Miami’s culture, restore stability, and guide the organization toward competitive consistency.

His legacy will ultimately be shaped by the decisions he makes in Miami—how he builds the roster, connects with coaching staff, evaluates players, and sets the Dolphins on a long-term path. Given his history, he is positioned to become one of the NFL’s most influential executives of the decade.

Conclusion

Jon-Eric Sullivan’s biography is defined by football, family, and steady growth. From his early days as a high school standout to his collegiate career, coaching experience, and eventual rise through the Packers organization, he has demonstrated resilience and commitment at every stage. His hiring as the Miami Dolphins’ general manager marks the culmination of decades of dedication and a new chapter of leadership. With deep football roots, strong values, and a proven track record, Sullivan enters Miami poised to reshape the franchise’s future while continuing a legacy built on discipline, insight, and integrity.

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FAQs

1. How old is Jon-Eric Sullivan?

Jon-Eric Sullivan was born in 1976 or 1977, making him 48–49 years old as of 2026 when he became the Miami Dolphins’ general manager.

2. What is Jon-Eric Sullivan known for in the NFL?

He is best known for his 22-year rise through the Green Bay Packers’ front office, where he became vice president of player personnel before being hired as the Dolphins’ GM.

3. Who are Jon-Eric Sullivan’s parents?

His father is longtime NFL and college coach Jerry Sullivan, and his mother is Connie Sullivan. They raised three children and currently live in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.

4. What is Jon-Eric Sullivan’s net worth or salary?

His exact net worth is not publicly available, but NFL general managers typically earn between $3–$10 million annually, placing him among high-earning executives.

5. Is Jon-Eric Sullivan married and does he have children?

Yes, he is married to Jennifer Sullivan, the daughter of NFL coach Pete Hoener. They have three daughters: Samantha, Mia, and Cecilia.

6. What is Jon-Eric Sullivan’s educational background?

He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Social Science from Gardner-Webb University (2000) and previously played football at the University of South Carolina and Gardner-Webb.

7. Why is Jon-Eric Sullivan trending in NFL news?

He became a top trending figure after being hired as the Miami Dolphins GM (Jan 9, 2026), signaling a major franchise overhaul and new leadership direction.

8. What roles did Jon-Eric Sullivan hold with the Green Bay Packers?

He served as a regional scout, director of college scouting, co-director of player personnel, and eventually vice president of player personnel, making him a key architect of the Packers’ draft and roster strategy.

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