Grambling State's James 'Shack' Harris hired as senior exec with Detroit Lions

Detroit Lions General Manager Martin Mayhew announced today the hiring of James Harris as Senior Personnel Executive. He will assist Mayhew with the day-to-day management of the player personnel department, and he will assist in the player evaluation process for college and pro talent. Terms of his contract were not disclosed. Harris joins the Lions player personnel department after spending the past six seasons (2003-08) as the Jacksonville Jaguars vice president of player personnel. While directing the Jaguars player personnel area, he oversaw all player acquisitions, including: college draft, free agency, undrafted player signings and the scouting of players in other professional leagues.

Known affectionately as "Shack," Harris brings 34 years of NFL experience to the Lions' front office, with the past 22 years working in player personnel and scouting. Harris originally began his front office career in 1987 when he joined the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as a scout, a position he would hold for six years (1987-92). He then moved on to the New York Jets and served as the team's assistant general manager from 1993-96. In 1997, Harris was named the director of pro personnel for the Baltimore Ravens. He was a member of the Ravens' player personnel department from 1997-2002, and he earned a Super Bowl ring with the Ravens as the team claimed a world championship with a victory in Super Bowl XXXV.

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