For Immediate Release
June 20, 2018
Contact: Brandon Parker | Communications Manager
Brandon.parker@nflpa.com | 202-756-9160
NFLPA NAMES DOUG WHALEY AS NEW DIRECTOR OF COLLEGE SCOUTING
Former Buffalo Bills GM will lead recruiting efforts for annual NFLPA Collegiate Bowl
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The NFL Players Association is proud to announce Doug Whaley as its new director of college scouting. Whaley will head up the recruitment, evaluation and selection process of top draft-eligible prospects for the annual NFLPA Collegiate Bowl.
“We are thrilled to have Doug join our team,” said Teri Smith, NFLPA Collegiate Bowl director and deputy managing director of the NFLPA. “His knowledge of the scouting landscape, along with his vast NFL résumé, will help continue the Collegiate Bowl’s growth and benefit the game’s participants as they learn the business of football.”
Whaley brings 22 years of NFL personnel experience to this role, including stints with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Seattle Seahawks and Buffalo Bills. The Pittsburgh native got his start in 1995 with the Steelers as an assistant in their personnel department. After serving as the East Coast area scout for the Seattle Seahawks for three years, Whaley re-joined the Steelers as their pro scouting coordinator, helping lead them to two Super Bowl wins during his 11-year tenure.
In 2010, Whaley was hired by the Buffalo Bills as their assistant general manager and pro personnel director. His strong leadership ability and wisdom led the Bills to promote him to the position of general manager, where he served from 2013-2017.
“I’m grateful to the NFLPA for entrusting me with this opportunity to work with a marquee collegiate showcase,” Whaley said. “We are an organization that will be with the players for their entire careers both on and off the field. I’m thrilled to serve in this capacity of introducing them to the union, our partners and the many great programs available to help them make the most of their experience.”
Whaley replaces Tony Softli, who stepped down following four successful years to take over as director of scouting for the Alliance of American Football.
Founded in 2012, the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl gives prospective players the best opportunity to showcase their talents to potential employers and fans. Nearly 200 scouts, player personnel staff, general managers and head coaches from all 32 NFL teams attend the annual all-star game to watch live practices, conduct player interviews and review tape.
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About the NFL Players Association:
The National Football League Players Association is the union for professional football players in the National Football League. Established in 1956, the NFLPA has a long history of assuring proper recognition and representation of players’ interests. The NFLPA has shown that it will do whatever is necessary to assure that the rights of players are protected—including ceasing to be a union, if necessary, as it did in 1989. In 1993, the NFLPA again was officially recognized as the union representing the players, and negotiated a landmark Collective Bargaining Agreement with the NFL. The current CBA will govern the sport through 2020. Learn more at www.nflpa.com.