2007 Texans All-Pro linebacker DeMeco Ryans has officially been hired as the team’s next head coach. Ryans is coming off two successful seasons as the defensive coordinator of the 49ers.
Texans agree to six-year deal to make DeMeco Ryans head coach https://t.co/x82bEjgPsk via @SportsRadio610
— John McClain (@McClain_on_NFL) February 1, 2023
Ryans’ playing career began in 2006 when the Texans selected him in the second round of the NFL Draft. Following the life-altering achievement – Ryans scored NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, while also earning a spot on the PFWA All-Rookie Team. In his sophomore season, Ryans was named a First-team All-Pro and a first-time Pro Bowl selection.
Ryans’ career in Houston ended after the 2011 season as Ryans departed to Philadelphia via trade. Ryans played with the Eagles from 2012-2015 and then retired.
As for his coaching career, Ryans took just one season off of football until returning in 2017 as a defensive quality control coach for the 49ers. Ryans’ role in Kyle Shanahan’s staff was upgraded, as he became the inside linebackers coach in 2018. He held onto that role until 2021, when he earned the coveted spot of becoming San Fran’s defensive coordinator.
As previously mentioned, Ryans spent the past two seasons in the DC role under Shanahan and has earned the opportunity to become the head coach of the team that drafted him – the Houston Texans.
It’s a full circle moment for both Ryans and the Texans organization, as Ryans has continued to be a fan favorite in Texans since he left the team in 2011. With the decision to bring home one of their own, Texans fans couldn’t be more excited to have Ryans back and have him lead their team into the future.
The Texans have a league-high thirteen draft picks in the upcoming 2023 NFL Draft, followed by having the fifth-highest cap space in the league at a little over $37 million. With that said, Ryans finds himself in a situation where his team has lots of assets; therefore, he has the chance, along with General Manager Nick Caserio, to turn the Texans around after so many disappointing years.
Speaking of Caserio, it will be interesting to see how he and Ryans mesh with one another. Caserio joined the Texans last offseason after several years of working in the New England Patriots front office. It seems like he has finally found the coach he prefers after the Texans recently fired Lovie Smith after just one season with the team.
Something Houston must be now is patient with Ryans as he is now their third head coach in the last three years, which leads to instability around the team as well as in the quarterback position as Davis Mills has already had two coaches in two seasons.
Many of Ryans’ former Texans teammates, including the recently retired and future Hall of Fame pass rusher J.J. Watt, took to social media to congratulate their brother on becoming the headman of their former team.
LET’S GOOOOOOO!!!!!!
You want to reenergize and reignite the incredible Houston fan base, this is a hell of a start!!
Cannot wait to see what Meco does.
One of the best teammates & leaders I’ve ever been around. #HTown
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) January 31, 2023
All in all, this seems like a match made in heaven for both sides.
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