DeMeco Ryans is the head coach for the Houston Texans as of 2024, the same team that drafted him as a player in 2006. Ryans' football career began at the University of Alabama, where he excelled as a linebacker. His performance earned him the title of unanimous All-American, marking him as one of the best college players in the nation. The Houston Texans recognized his talent and selected him in the second round of the 2006 NFL draft. As a player, Ryans made an immediate impact. He won the Defensive Rookie of the Year award and was selected to two Pro Bowls during his time with the Texans. After a trade to the Philadelphia Eagles in 2012, Ryans played four more seasons before retiring.

Ryans' transition to coaching began with the San Francisco 49ers in 2017. He started as a defensive quality control coach and quickly moved up the ranks. By 2021, he had become the team's defensive coordinator. His success in this role caught the attention of his former team, the Houston Texans. In 2023, the Texans hired Ryans as their head coach. In his first season, he led the team to the playoffs, showcasing his ability to turn a struggling franchise around.

DeMeco Ryans Personal Information

DeMeco Ryans' Early Life

DeMeco Ryans' football journey began in Bessemer, Alabama, where he was born and raised. He attended Jess Lanier High School, which provided the foundation for his future football career. During his senior year, Ryans showed remarkable talent on the field. He accumulated great performance thus, making 135 tackles, 11 sacks, two fumble causes and two interceptions.

These numbers drew the eyes of college recruiters. High school players’ talent was determined by Rivals which rated Ryans as a three-star recruit. His high school scouting service rated him as 39th on the list of the best inside linebacker prospects in the nation for the 2002 class.

When it came time to choose a college, Ryans had options. He was particularly interested in two Southeastern Conference (SEC) schools: the University of Alabama and Mississippi State University. Ultimately, Ryans decided to stay in his home state, selecting the Alabama Crimson Tide. This choice would prove instrumental in shaping his football career and setting him on the path to NFL success.

DeMeco Ryans' Contract and Salary

DeMeco Ryans' transition to head coach of the Houston Texans came with a significant financial commitment from the team. He signed a six-year contract worth $28 million, as reported by ESPN's NFL insider Adam Schefter. This agreement translates to an average annual salary of $4.6 million for Ryans. The length and value of the contract demonstrate the Texans' confidence in Ryans' ability to lead the team over the long term. It also reflects the competitive market for top coaching talent in the NFL.

DeMeco Ryans's Coaching Career

San Francisco 49ers (2017-2022)

DeMeco Ryans began his coaching journey with the San Francisco 49ers in 2017. His tenure with the team saw rapid progression through several roles:

Defensive Quality Control Coach (2017): Ryans started as a defensive quality control coach, laying the groundwork for his coaching career. This entry-level position allowed him to learn the intricacies of NFL coaching.

Inside Linebackers Coach (2018-2020): In 2018, Ryans was promoted to inside linebackers coach. This role suited him well, given his experience as a standout NFL linebacker. Over three seasons, he developed the 49ers' linebacker corps into one of the league's strongest units.

Defensive Coordinator (2021-2022): Ryans' biggest leap came in 2021 when he was named defensive coordinator. Under his leadership, the 49ers' defense became one of the NFL's elite units. In 2022, they ranked first in total defense by DVOA, showcasing Ryans' ability to scheme and lead at the highest level. His success in this role earned him the PFWA Assistant Coach of the Year award for the 2022 season.

Houston Texans (2023-Present)

On January 31, 2023, Ryans returned to his NFL roots, becoming the head coach of the Houston Texans. Notable achievements in his first season include:

Team Turnaround: Despite a 0-2 start, Ryans led the Texans to a 10-7 record and an AFC South division title. This marked a significant improvement from the team's previous seasons.

Playoff Success: In his debut season as head coach, Ryans guided the Texans to their first playoff victory since 2019, defeating the Cleveland Browns 45-14 in the Wild Card Round.

Cultural Impact: Ryans has been credited with changing the team culture, instilling a winning mentality, and developing young talent, particularly rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud.

DeMeco Ryans' Playing Career

DeMeco Ryans enjoyed a successful 10-year playing career in the NFL, making his mark with two teams:

Houston Texans (2006 - 2011)

DeMeco Ryans' NFL journey began in 2006 when the Houston Texans selected him with the 33rd overall pick in the draft. This made him the highest-drafted Alabama linebacker since Dwayne Rudd in 1997. Despite playing as an outside linebacker in college, Ryans quickly adapted to the middle linebacker position in the NFL due to his impressive preseason performance.

Ryans made an immediate impact in his first NFL game, recording a league-high 12 solo tackles against the Philadelphia Eagles. His rookie season was remarkable, as he led the Texans in tackles during the first half of the 2006 season. A standout performance in Week 13 against the Oakland Raiders earned him AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors. In that game, Ryans showcased his versatility with 15 tackles, three pass deflections, a sack, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, and an interception.

His rookie year culminated in being named the AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. Ryans finished second in the league with 155 total tackles, 31 more than the next closest rookie. This performance also earned him a spot on the NFL All-Rookie Team.

Ryans continued to excel in subsequent seasons. He was named a first-team All-Pro linebacker in 2007 and earned Pro Bowl selections in 2007 and 2009. His consistent high-level play led to a six-year contract extension with the Texans in 2010, worth $48 million with $21.75 million guaranteed.

Philadelphia Eagles (2012 - 2016)

In 2012, Ryans' career took a new direction when he was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles. The trade involved exchanging draft picks, with the Texans receiving a fourth-round pick (used to select Ben Jones) and swapping third-round picks (resulting in Brandon Brooks for the Texans and Nick Foles for the Eagles).

Ryans quickly established himself as a key player for the Eagles, becoming their starting middle linebacker. Despite the team's struggles in his first season, finishing 4-12, Ryans led the team with 113 tackles and added a sack and an interception.

The 2013 season saw Ryans elevate his game further. He again led the Eagles in tackles with 127, while also setting career highs in sacks (4.0) and interceptions (2). His postseason performance was also noteworthy, recording 10 tackles and his first playoff interception in a close loss to the New Orleans Saints.

However, Ryans faced a significant setback in November 2014 when he tore his Achilles tendon, resulting in his placement on injured reserve. This injury marked a turning point in his playing career.

Ryans' time with the Eagles came to an end on February 24, 2016, when he was released by the team. This release effectively marked the end of his playing career, concluding a decade of impressive performances across two NFL franchises.

DeMeco Ryans' Family

Houston Texans’ DeMeco Ryans is married to his wife, Jamila White Ryans. The couple met while Ryans’ was still playing for the Houston Texans football team. By the power vested in them, they made their marriage official on 29th June 2013 in Pearland, Texas.

Jamila is a registered nurse, and works as a director of the DeMeco Ryans Foundation. Jamila stays out of the public eye and only occasionally appears at NFL games supporting her husband, and stays far from the limelight, she is engaged in charity and the parenting of her children. They are proud parents to four children: MJ and Micah, two sons and Xia and Zuri, two daughters. (via AS Sports)