James Gladstone is the new Jacksonville Jaguars general manager, the team announced Feb. 21.
Gladstone, 34, spent the past nine seasons with the Los Angeles Rams (2016-24), most recently as director of scouting strategy (2022-24). In that role, he worked with general manager Les Snead on strategic planning and oversaw day-to-day scouting processes. He also was responsible for scouting current and prospective players, and for providing analysis of special projects.
“James emerged as my choice, and our choice, following a painstaking but energizing interview process that left nothing to doubt. Every candidate delivered, and I am grateful to them all for their preparation and time spent with us this week in Jacksonville,” Jaguars owner Shad Khan said in a news release.
“In the end, we found James to be a class ahead and exceptional in every regard – vision, new ideas, communication, chemistry and a keen understanding of the league and our team, to name a few of many virtues he will bring immediately to the Jaguars. It’s going to be fun watching James work with our football leadership team of Liam Coen, Tony Boselli and Tony Khan, but most of all it will be rewarding. I am confident of that.”
Boselli, 52, was named the team's executive vice president of football operations in February. Coen, 39, was hired as head coach in January.
During Gladstone’s tenure in Los Angeles, the Rams secured four NFC West division titles and appeared in the postseason six times, including a Super Bowl LVI victory in 2021, during which he was the director of scouting. Gladstone began his front office career with the Rams as senior assistant to the general manager from 2016-17.
Before entering the NFL, Gladstone worked in educational administration as the student activities director and football coach at Clayton High School in his hometown of St. Louis, and as the media and literacy coordinator and football coach at St. John Vianney High School, also in St. Louis.
Gladstone graduated from Westminster College in 2013 with a bachelor’s in education and subsequently added a master’s in education administration. While attending Westminster, he was a two-time captain of the football team, awarded Athlete of the Year honors and was named to the Beyond Sports Network All-American team as a wide receiver.
He and his wife, Julie, also a St. Louis native, have one daughter.
Gladstone replaces Trent Baalke, who was fired Jan. 22. Head coach Doug Pederson was fired Jan. 6.