Texans hire 49ers DC DeMeco Ryans as head coach

HOUSTON — The Texans they have hired San Francisco 49ers Defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans as his new head coach, it was announced Tuesday.

The deal is for six years, sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Ryans is the franchise’s sixth head coach. The Texans, meanwhile, have become the first team in NFL history to hire three consecutive black coaches.

He had his first interview with the Texans on Jan. 20 and met with the franchise again on Tuesday. Other NFL teams requested permission to speak with Ryans about coaching vacancies, among other things. Bronchi, panthers and Jars.

Houston Texans,” owner Cal McNair said in a statement. “For so many reasons, DeMeco is everything we’ve been looking for in a leader and coach for our organization. He has a proven track record of developing high-quality players and has continually revamped his defensive scheme over the past six seasons in San Francisco.

“We started this process with the goal of finding someone our fans and city can be proud of and we’ve done just that. While we received incredible feedback and support for DeMeco from a variety of people, it was our discussions with him that made him the right coach to lead us as we continue to evolve as an organization. his vision for our football team.”

Ryans’ hiring ends a three-week coaching search since the Texans fired Lovie Smith on Jan. 8. Ryans, a Texans linebacker standout, will be Houston’s fourth head coach in four years since Smith and David Culley were fired after one season. .

Former coach and general manager Bill O’Brien was fired after an 0-4 start to the 2020 season. O’Brien previously coached the Texans for six full seasons, and his 52-48 record (.520) is the only Texans coach over .500.

The franchise hired Nick Caserio as its general manager in 2021. Caserio hired Culley (4-13) in 2021 and promoted Smith (3-13-1) from defensive coordinator in 2022.

Now Caserio has hired Ryans, who took over the 49ers’ defensive unit in 2021.

“DeMeco is a proven coach with a history of success who has a natural ability to lead people,” Caserio said in a statement. “…We are working to build a sustainable program that will be successful for the long term and DeMeco is the coach we feel is the best fit 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 am excited to join DeMeco in our football to build the team together.”

In his first season, the 49ers gave up the third fewest yards per game (310), and in 2022, San Francisco gave up the fewest points (16.8) and yards per game (300.6). He also tied Ryans’ drive for most second-down sacks (30).

Ryans’ defense helped the 49ers to a 13-4 record before collapsing in the regular season. Philadelphia Eagles 31-7 in NFC Championship Game as No. 2 seed.

Prior to coaching, Ryans had a 10-year career with the Texans and Eagles. He was a second-round pick out of Alabama in 2006 by the Texans and was named Defensive Rookie of the Year after finishing second in the league in tackles (156). His 126 solo tackles were the 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 six seasons with the Texans 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 in H-Town,” Ryans said in a statement. “I’ve been around the game of football my whole life and I’ve always had a natural ability to lead others. I know what it takes to win in this league and be successful as a player and coach.

“We’re going to build a program full of players with a unique work ethic and a relentless mindset. I understand the responsibility I have with this organization and the fans in Houston to build a winner and I can’t wait to get to that job.”

Ryans, 38, has spent the last six years training; his first role was as the 49ers’ defensive quality control coach in 2017 under coach Kyle Shanahan. In 2018, he became the inside linebackers coach, moving up to defensive coordinator when Robert Saleh left in 2021 to become the coach of the New York Jets.

“I first want to thank the San Francisco 49ers, Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch for six incredible seasons where I grew as a coach and as a man,” Ryans said. “I couldn’t be prouder of what we accomplished together, and I will always cherish the relationships we built there.”

One of Ryans’ biggest tasks will be fixing the league’s worst defense, which allowed 170.2 yards per game. No team has given up more than 170 yards since the 0-16 Lions (172.1) in 2008. The Texans have also finished 27th in points allowed per game for three consecutive seasons.

The pass defense was a bright spot for the team with the third most yards per game (379.5). The Texans finished 10th in the league in passing yards allowed (209.3) and had more touchdowns (16) than touchdowns allowed (15).

The team’s 16 interceptions were tied for fourth, and their 15 touchdowns allowed were tied for the fewest.

In addition to fixing the defensive issues, Ryans must fix the Texans’ offensive struggles and find an answer at quarterback.

The unit averaged 17 points per game (30th), and the Texans’ 19 interceptions were second-most. Opening Day starting quarterback Davis Mills He had 15 of those in 15 games and was tied for the top in the league, and Kyle AllenStarting when Mills was on the bench, he threw the other four in two games.

The Texans have two first-round picks (No. 2 and No. 12 overall) in the 2023 NFL draft and could use one of those picks on a quarterback. They can also address the position via trade or free agency. The NFL notified teams of that salary cap on Monday It will increase to 224.8 million dollars For the 2023 league year. The Texans are currently estimated to have around $40 million in cap space.