DeMeco Ryans's coaching history and record

The Houston Texans have signed DeMeco Ryans as their head coach, granting the 38-year-old his maiden top position and taking him back to the team where he began his career as a player.

The Pro Football Writers of America awarded DeMeco Ryans their Assistant Coach of the Year for 2022. He recently finished his second year as the San Francisco 49ers' defensive coach and sixth overall with the organization, helping them win the NFC Championship.

Ryans coached the 49ers' inside linebackers for three seasons from 2018 to 2020 after serving as the group's defensive quality control coordinator in 2017.

Ryans has a 52-46 regular-season record and a 6-2 postseason record while serving as the coach's assistant. He has been a coordinator for six years, all with the 49ers.

Ryans starred for the Texans and the Philadelphia Eagles after being selected by the Texans as the 33rd overall choice in the 2006 NFL Draft. He led the Houston team that won the AFC South championship and qualified for the playoffs in 2011. Ryans presently ranks as the second-leading tackler in the history of the Houston Texans and owns the distinction for the team's most tackles by a rookie (156).

On Tuesday evening, the Texans made the hiring public. Ryans will now take over from Lovie Smith, who was dismissed after the group's 3-13-1 season. He will be the team's fifth coach in the last four years.

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DeMeco Ryans expected to turn the Texans' fortunes around

After three years as the inside linebackers coach, DeMeco Ryans was elevated to defensive coordinator in 2021. The 49ers surrendered the ninth-fewest points and the third-fewest yards. In 2021, they were also the No. 6 pass defense and No. 7 rushing defense.

In 2022, the 49ers had the best yardage and point totals while also having the No. 2 rush defense and No. 20 pass defense, earning Ryans the PFWA Assistant Coach of the Year award.

Before losing to the Philadelphia Eagles 31-7 in the NFC Championship Game as the No. 2 seed, Ryans' unit guided the 49ers to a 13-4 record during the regular season.

The NFL's poorest rushing defense, which gave up 170.2 yards per game, will need to improve, which will be one of Ryans' significant challenges.

Since the 0-16 Detroit Lions (172.1) in 2008, no unit has allowed more than 170 running yards. Additionally, the Texans have been placed 27th in points conceded per contest for three straight years.