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Texans hire former Alabama standout DeMeco Ryans as their next head coach

DeMeco Ryans is officially headed back to Houston. The San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator has agreed to terms to become the Houston Texans' head coach.
Credit: AP

HOUSTON — DeMeco Ryans is officially headed back to Houston.

The San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator has agreed to terms to become the Houston Texans' head coach, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Tuesday, per a source.

The pairing has been in the works since late last week when Ryans emerged as the top candidate for the Texans' head coaching gig.

It's a return to Houston for Ryans, a former linebacker who began his NFL career as a second-round selection by the Texans in 2006. Ryans spent six seasons in Houston, where he met his wife Jamila, who is from the area.

After six years, which included Defensive Rookie of the Year honors, a first-team All-Pro bid, and two Pro Bowls, Ryans finished his playing career with four seasons in Philadelphia.

The 38-year-old got his coaching start in San Francisco as a defensive quality control coach in 2017 when Kyle Shanahan took over the head coaching gig. Ryans worked his way to inside linebackers coach (2018-2020) before taking over as the defensive coordinator in 2021 when Robert Saleh left for the New York Jets' top job.

Credit: AP
San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans during an NFL divisional round playoff football game against the Dallas Cowboys in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Jan. 22, 2023. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)

Under Ryans' leadership, the Niners' defense has been among the top units in the NFL for the past two seasons. San Francisco ended the 2022 regular season as the NFL's top-ranked defense, finishing No. 1 in yards allowed, No. 1 in points allowed, No. 1 in fewest big plays allowed, No. 2 rush yards allowed, No. 2 in turnovers forced and No. 4 in yards per play.

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