Former 49ers’ DC DeMeco Ryans is ‘fired up’ for dream job with Houston Texans
Feb 2, 2023, 3:02 PM | Updated: 3:19 pm
PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 29: San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans looks on during the Championship game between the San Fransisco 49ers and the Philadelphia Eagles on January 29, 2023. (Photo by Andy Lewis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
(Photo by Andy Lewis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Only 48 hours after reports surfaced Tuesday, former 49ers’ defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans officially became the new head coach of the Houston Texans.
The Texans organization unveiled their new head coach Thursday afternoon, alongside owner Cal McNair and general manager Nick Caserio. Thrilled to have their former defensive captain back in the building, McNair is hopeful Ryans can right the ship for the Texans.
“This young man exhibited everything we wanted…He fits exactly what we’re looking to lead our team into the future,” McNair said Thursday.
And Ryans feels the same way, excited to get to work as soon as possible to help re-establish the Texans in the NFL landscape.
“I can’t wait to get to coach. I can’t wait to get started and work with you guys to build a winning program. I’m excited. I’m fired up. Me and Nick (Caserio), we’re here to build it the right way with right people,” DeMeco Ryans stated with a big smile.
Houston wasn’t the only team knocking on Ryans’s door though, taking an interview with the Denver Broncos prior to the NFC divisional round. But once he got in the same room as the Texans’ brass, he didn’t need much convincing rejoin his former team.
“When it came down to it, there’s no other place I wanted to be than H-Town. It was a no-brainer,” Ryans exclaimed.
Nick Caserio says they first interviewed DeMeco Ryans on the Friday before the 49ers NFC division playoff game, when Ryans had just come off the practice field.
Caserio says in the interview Ryans said, "I want to come home, let's make it happen."
— Brooks Kubena (@BKubena) February 2, 2023
Signing a lucrative six-year deal, Ryans is it for the long haul, with an end goal of bringing Houston its’ first Super Bowl trophy in franchise history.
“That’s what coaching is to me. It’s about the development and delivery of men, and to tie it all in, we want to develop a great team here so we can deliver wins to the city of Houston. We want to deliver a championship here to the city of Houston and that’s what that’s what it’ll be about,” Ryans said.
"I'm here, home in H-Town. It's a dream job."
🤘 // @DRyans59 pic.twitter.com/NvnAs2cV7P
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) February 2, 2023
Vibes are off the charts 📈 pic.twitter.com/HJugPalMO7
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) February 2, 2023
Leading the top-ranked defense with the 49ers in 2022, San Francisco knew that Ryans’s stint in the Bay was about to expire. That’s why when he did leave, there were no hard feelings.
“I love DeMeco, one of the best coaches I’ve ever been around, best people I’ve ever been around,” 49ers’ head coach Kyle Shanahan said Wednesday. “Him and [his wife] Jamila mean the world to us and I really wish they weren’t going, but it’s more than deserved and more than earned. And I think they made the best hire by far that was available because DeMeco is going to be a great one. He already has been.”
“Thank you, DeMeco”
The message to Houston’s new head coach at Levi’s Stadium today. #49ers pic.twitter.com/KzBcgJDqsS
— Kate Rooney (@TheKateRooney) February 1, 2023
Click here to watch DeMeco Ryans’ full introductory press conference with the Houston Texans
