DeMeco Ryans – Houston’s Messiah

Houston fans want to win. 

In the 21 seasons that the Texans have been around, to put it lightly, they haven’t won. Bill O’Brien is the only Texans coach with a winning record, with a 52-48 record. The other four coaches combined, who coached a full season, have a combined 39% winning percentage. Can DeMeco Ryans change this pattern? Because in Texas, where football is king, and in Houston, where the Astros have won two championships in 5 years, these numbers are not going to cut it.

Houston Texans head coach record

The end of the Bill O’Brien era was ugly, to say the least. After an awful trade to get rid of DeAndre Hopkins and losing their star QB, Deshaun Watson, to off-the-field issues, the team has been in rebuilding mode for the last few seasons. After four top-15 picks in the last two seasons, and some weapons added for rookie QB C.J. Stroud, it is time for the Texans to start trending upward. They just need someone to lead them.

Enter DeMeco Ryans

Former Texans LB DeMeco Ryans (59) – Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

The first-ever Defensive Rookie of the Year in franchise history, a two-time Pro-Bowler, a second-team All-Pro selection, and the most solo tackles in team history, DeMeco Ryans is a legend in Houston. He has also made a name for himself as a coach around the league. Being a part of four top-five defenses in his five seasons as inside linebacker (2018-2020) and defensive coordinator (2021-2022) for the San Francisco 49ers. Earning AP Assistant Coach of the Year in 2022. Making him a hot head coaching candidate this off-season. 

To me, it was a no-brainer that he was going to come to Houston to lead this young team. The average age of the offensive starters is 25 years old, with Mills or Stroud starting, and the defense 27, even with four of the starters being 30 or older. To go with the youth of the team, it is projected that there will be seven new starters on offense and six new starters on defense. Among those 13 new starters are five former first-round picks and two pro-bowlers. So, these are not the Texans of previous years that ranked in the bottom three offensively and defensively the last two seasons.

Former 49ers LBs Coach DeMeco Ryans and former DC Robert Saleh – Michael Zagaris/Getty Images)

Looking at where DeMeco Ryans came from and the Texans’ last few seasons, it is easy to draw comparisons to the New York Jets when they brought over Robert Saleh. A young, passionate coach that is going to change the culture of a struggling franchise. Saleh struggled in his first year with the Jets, but there was a big leap in year two, even with the team going 7-10. The team was 7-4 before losing their last six games. They were led by their defense that jumped from being dead last in the league to being the fourth-best defense and having three Pro Bowl selections.

This is the formula that Ryans will use to bring the Texans back into relevancy. His team is already more filled out than the Jets were in 2021. This defense in DeMeco Ryans’ scheme could give offenses nightmares with a solid front seven, including Jerry Hughes and rookie Will Anderson Jr. coming off the edges, and a secondary with former Pro-Bowler Shaquill Griffin, rookie breakout Jalen Pitre, a player that knows DeMeco Ryans well in Jimmie Ward, and what could be the key piece in former 3rd overall pick Derek Stingley Jr. All of these with a possibly underrated linebacker core could lead the Texans defense to make a jump in the rankings. 

Texans DE Will Anderson Jr. (51) and QB C.J Stroud (7) – Alex Bierens de Haan/Getty Images

Forcing turnovers and three-and-outs to give C.J. Stroud and the offense more opportunities will be how the Texans will win games. Dameon Pierce and an upgraded offensive line will also help take some of the pressure off of the rookie QB. Not a huge fan of the “Game Manager” term for quarterbacks, but that is what Stroud will need to be this season. He doesn’t need to win the games, he just needs to make sure he doesn’t lose them. DeMeco Ryans will relay this message, letting him know that the defense is the strength of this team, and a punt will always be better than an interception or fumble. 

Houston fans are ready for a team to compete. They are ready to come to the stadium and make calling signals a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks. I was at the game in Dallas when Tony Romo had to go to a silent count at home due to Texans fans. A return to Houston for DeMeco Ryans is the perfect time for this team to once again compete for the AFC South Championship. It will be fun to see what he can do with this team.

See Also: 5 Greatest Players in the History of the Houston Texans