DeMeco Ryans
The former Texans linebacker and current head coach who led the franchise to back-to-back playoff appearances.
via Wikipedia: DeMeco Ryans · see source
DeMeco Ryans is an American professional football coach and former linebacker who is the head coach for the Houston Texans. He played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide, where he was a unanimous All-American. Ryans was selected by the Texans in the second round of the 2006 NFL draft, where he was recognized as the Defensive Rookie of the Year. Ryans was selected to two Pro Bowls before being traded to the Philadelphia Eagles in 2012, where he spent four seasons before retiring.
Quick Facts
- Current team
- Houston Texans
- Position
- Head coach
- Born
- 28 July 1984
- Birthplace
- Bessemer, Alabama, U.S.
- High school
- Jess Lanier (Bessemer)
- College
- Alabama (2002–2005)
- Draft year
- 2006
- Draft round
- 2
Lore & Background
Ryans was selected with the first pick of the second round (33rd overall) in the 2006 NFL draft by the Texans. He was the highest-selected Alabama linebacker since Dwayne Rudd was selected 20th overall by the Minnesota Vikings in 1997. Though Ryans had been an outside linebacker in college, he earned the starting middle linebacker position due to his excellent performance in the preseason. In his first game, Ryans recorded a league-high 12 solo tackles against the Philadelphia Eagles. He had an overwhelming impact as a rookie, leading the Texans in tackles in the first half of the 2006 season. Ryans was named AFC Defensive Player of the Week for his performance during a Week 13 23–14 victory over the Oakland Raiders in which he recorded 15 tackles, three pass deflections, a sack, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, and an interception. Ryans was named the AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year after finishing second in the league with 155 total tackles (Zach Thomas led the NFL with 165), 31 more tackles than the next rookie (Detroit Lions linebacker Ernie Sims). Ryans was also named to the NFL All-Rookie Team. In 2007, Ryans was named a second-team All-Pro linebacker and was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2007 and 2009. On March 30, 2010, Ryans signed a six-year extension worth $48 million, including $21.75 million guaranteed.
Reader's Guide
On January 31, 2023, Ryans was hired as head coach of the Houston Texans, the same franchise he started his professional NFL career for, on a six-year deal. Ryans was the third head coach hired in the last three offseasons by the Texans. The Texans started the 2023 season by losing their first two games. However, under Ryans' leadership, the team finished atop the AFC South with a 10–7 record and made the playoffs. The Texans defeated the Cleveland Browns by a score of a 45–14 in the Wild Card Round, which marked their first playoff win since 2019, and just the franchise's third playoff victory since 2013. The Texans saw their season end with a 34–10 road loss to the Baltimore Ravens in the Divisional Round. In 2024, after a victory over the Titans in the regular-season finale, Ryans became the fastest coach in franchise history to win 20 games (in 34 total games). He led the Texans to another 10–7 season and division title. They defeated the Los Angeles Chargers 32–12 in the Wild Card Round before losing on the road to the Kansas City Chiefs 23–14 in the Divisional Round.
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