houston – in Texas hired San Francisco 49ers Defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans was named their new coach, announced Tuesday.
Sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter that the deal is for six years.
Ryan became the franchise’s sixth full-time head coach. Meanwhile, the Texans became the first team in NFL history to hire three consecutive black coaches.
He had his first interview with the Texans on January 20 and met again with the franchise on Tuesday. Other NFL teams that asked permission to talk to the Ryans about head coaching vacancies were BroncoAnd leopards And Colts.
“For many reasons, DeMeco is everything we look for in a leader and coach for our organization,” Houston Texans owner Cal McNair said in a statement. He has a proven track record of developing quality players and constantly innovating his defensive scheme over the past six seasons in San Francisco.
“We began this process with the goal of finding someone our fans and our city could be proud of and we have done just that. While we have received so much amazing feedback and support for DeMeco from different people, it has been our discussions with him and his vision for the football team that has made him the right coach to lead us as we continue to evolve as an organisation. “.
The Ryans’ hiring process ends three weeks of searching since Texas fired Lovie Smith on Jan. 8. Former Texas quarterback Ryans will be Houston’s fourth head coach in four years after firing Smith and David Cooley after one season.
Former head coach and general manager Bill O’Brien was fired after starting the 2020 season 0-4. O’Brien had led the Texans for six full seasons prior to that, and his 52-48 (. 520) record left him as the only Texans coach to pass . 500.
The company named Nick Caserio to the position of general manager in 2021. Caserio hired Cooley (4-13) in 2021 and promoted Smith (3-13-1) from defensive coordinator in 2022.
Now Caserio has hired Ryans, who will lead the 49ers’ defensive unit in 2021.
“Demico is a proven coach with a proven track record of success and an innate ability to lead people,” Caserio said in a statement. “…we are building a sustainable program that has long-term success, and DeMeco is the coach we feel is best suited to help us achieve our goals. We know how important it is to get results now and we have a lot of work to do, but I’m excited to partner with DeMeco to build a team Our football together.
In his senior season, the 49ers allowed the third-fewest yards per game (310), and in 2022, San Francisco allowed the fewest points (16.8) and yards (300.6) per game. Ryan’s unit is also tied for the second most in fast food (30).
The Ryans defense helped lift the 49ers to a 13-4 record in the regular season before they fell to Philadelphia Eagles 31-7 in the NFC Championship Game as the No. 2 seed.
Before becoming a coach, Ryans had a 10-year stint with the Texans and Eagles. He was second round out of Alabama by Texas in 2006 and was named Defensive Rookie of the Year after finishing second in the leagues (156). His 126 solo tackles was second-most by a rookie in NFL history.
The following season, Ryans earned second team All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors. The two-time Pro Bowler played for the Texans for six seasons and is currently the franchise’s all-time leader in tackles (479).
“Being the head coach of the Houston Texans is my dream job, and my family is thrilled to be back at H-Town,” Ryans said in a statement. “I’ve been in the game of football my whole life and always have a natural ability to lead others. I know what it takes to win and succeed in this league as a player and a coach.
“We’re going to build a program full of players with a special work ethic and uncompromising mentality. I understand the responsibility I have to this organization and to the Houston fans to build a winner and I can’t wait to get into the business.”
Ryans, 38, has spent the past six years coaching. His first role was as a defensive quality control coach for the 49ers in 2017 under head coach Kyle Shanahan. In 2018, he became the inside linebackers coach, and was promoted to defensive coordinator when Robert Salih left to become the coach of the New York Jets in 2021.
“I first want to thank the San Francisco 49ers, Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch for six amazing seasons growing up as a coach and a man,” Ryans said. “I couldn’t be more proud of what we accomplished together, and I will always cherish the relationships I built there.”
One of the Ryans’ biggest tasks will be overhauling the league’s worst rushing defense, which allowed 170.2 yards per game. No team has allowed more than 170 rushing yards since the 0-16 Lions (172.1) in 2008. The Texans also finished 27th in points allowed per game three straight seasons.
The pass defense was a bright spot for the team giving the third most yards per game (379.5). The Texans finished 10th in the league in passing yards allowed per game (209.3) and had more interceptions (16) than touchdowns allowed (15).
The team’s 16 interceptions are tied for fourth, and the 15 touchdowns allowed are tied for the fewest.
Besides fixing the defense, the Ryans must fix the Texans’ offensive struggles and find an answer in the quarterback.
The unit averaged 17 points (30), and Texas’ 19 interceptions ranked second. Opening day starting quarterback Davis Mills He had 15 of those in 15 games and was tied for the league, W.L.L Kyle Allenwho started while Mills was benched, threw the other four in two games.
Texas has two first-round draft picks (No. 2 and No. 12 overall) in the 2023 NFL Draft and could use one of those picks on a quarterback. They may also remedy the situation via trade or free agency. The NFL notified teams on Monday that the salary cap It will rise to $224.8 million for 2023 in the league. It is estimated that Texas has about $40 million in cap space.