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LOOK: Alabama football congratulates DeMeco Ryan on landing Houston Texans job

20200517_134556by:Justin Rudolph01/31/23
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DALLAS - JANUARY 2: Linebacker DeMeco Ryans #35 of the Alabama Crimson Tide looks on against the Texas Tech Red Raiders during the AT&T Cotton Bowl on January 2, 2006 in Dallas, Texas. The Crimson Tide defeated the Red Raiders 13-10. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** DeMeco Ryans

Former San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans was announced as the next head coach for the Houston Texans on Tuesday. There are plenty of individuals and organizations excited to see Ryans get his first crack at being an NFL head coach. Among those is his college alma mater of Alabama. Shortly after Ryans accepted the Texans’ offer, the Crimson Tide took to social media to congratulate their former standout linebacker.

Ryans played four seasons for the Crimson Tide, and hands down, his best season was his senior year. In his final year at Alabama, the six-foot-one Bessemer, Al, native recorded 76 total tackles, 41 solo, seven passes deflected, five sacks, and one interception. Ryans’ breakout performance in his senior year what is shined a light on how productive he could be at the next level, and the Texans took full notice. In Houston’s inaugural NFL draft in 2006, the Texans would select Ryans in the second round with the 33rd overall pick.

The former Crimson Tide star has a tall task ahead of him in helping instill a winning culture in Houston’s locker room. Coaching at the NFL level is no easy task, especially being a head coach. But Ryans has a ton of people and fans rooting for him to have success with the Texans, and Alabama is among them.

Texans officially hire DeMeco Ryans as next head coach

The Texans have hired 49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans as their head coach, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The deal is reportedly for six years, though the amount has not been disclosed.

“DeMeco is a proven coach with a track record of success who has an innate ability to lead people,” Texans general manager Nick Caserio said in a statement. “… We are working to build a sustainable program that has long-term success and DeMeco is the coach we feel is the best fit to help us achieve our goals. We know how important it is to get results now and we have a lot of work to do, but I’m excited to partner with DeMeco to build our football team together.”

This past season, the San Francisco defense tied for third in the NFL in yards allowed per play (5.0) under Ryans’ direction. The 49ers also tied for first in the league in interceptions (20) and ranked second in total turnovers forced (30).

DeMeco Ryans takes over a Texans team that finished 3-13 this past season. He will be the fourth head coach for the team in the past four seasons. He will be officially introduced on Thursday.