Chris Ballard (American football)

After college, Ballard became a history teacher for Hitchcock Junior High while also contributing to their football program. After a referral from Hitchcock's head coach, Ballard was interviewed by Ron Harms of Texas A&M-Kingsville for the position of receivers coach.[10]

Ballard would get the job to coach at Texas A&M–Kingsville. In one practice session, Ballard broke his collarbone while training the receivers in a blocking drill. Ballard would move around the ranks during this time to coach the secondary and defense.[10]

Ballard jumped for the opportunity to join Jerry Angelo's scouting staff for the Chicago Bears in the 2001 season. It was during this time that he declined a job offer to run first-year coach Art Briles' secondary at the University of Houston.[10]

Ballard contributed to Chicago's success in the twelve years he was there. In 2012, he received a promotion to become Chicago's Director of Professional Scouting. Ballard would only remain in this position for one season before moving to the Kansas City Chiefs.[10]

During his time with the Chicago Bears, Ballard was said to be involved with many acquisitions such as Matt Forte, Johnny Knox, Brandon Marshall, and Martellus Bennett.[12]

Prior to the 2013 season, Ballard joined the Kansas City Chiefs as Director of Player Personnel, the position he remained in until the conclusion of the 2014 season in which he received a promotion to become the Director of Football Operations.[10]

He remained with the Chiefs until the conclusion of the 2016 regular season. While with the Kansas City Chiefs, Ballard was involved in drafting Pro-Bowlers Travis Kelce, Tyreek Hill, and Marcus Peters.[12]

In the midst of the 2016 NFL Playoffs, Ballard was introduced as the new General Manager of the Indianapolis Colts. Ballard was reportedly attracted to the Indianapolis General Manager job following the dismissal of Ryan Grigson because of the local ownership and team history.[12]

He immediately began a roster makeover, mostly on the defensive side of the ball. He cut four starters from the prior season. The Colts would have a losing record in Ballard's first season as their GM.[10]

Prior to his second season, the Colts fired Head Coach Chuck Pagano. Despite the Colts announcing that they had signed New England Patriots offensive co-ordinator Josh McDaniels, McDaniels unexpectedly withdrew from the agreement in principle.[13]. On February 11th, 2018, the Colts announced Frank Reich as their new head coach.[14]

The Colts finished the season with a 10-6 record, and two of Ballard's 2018 draft choices, Quenton Nelson and Darius Leonard were named to the AP All-Pro First Team, becoming the first set of rookie teammates to be named First Team All-Pro since 1965 and only the second in NFL history.[15] Additionally, Leonard was named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year.[16]

Ballard was named as the Pro Football Writers Association 2018 NFL Executive of the Year.[17]