DeMeco Ryans is known for his defense.
The former two-time Pro Bowl linebacker joined the San Francisco 49ers as a defensive quality control coach under Kyle Shanahan in 2017. Ryans was later inside linebackers coach for the next three seasons before taking over as defensive coordinator in 2021-22 with San Francisco qualifying for the NFC Championship Game in both seasons.
With the Houston Texans, Ryans has broadened his influence to more than just the defense.
“It’s a little different, but it’s funny, having a conversation before practice with some of the quarterbacks, and [quarterback] C.J (Stroud) is like, ‘Is it only a good day if the defense does well?’
And I said, ‘No, man, it’s a great day when the offense is doing well and we’re putting up points.’”
In a zero-sum game where there is a winner and loser at the end of each contest, the perception of one side of the ball getting the better of the other is only natural, even during organized team activities. However, Ryans understands that the victories in the spring are in the comprehension of the playbook.
“We’re all in this thing together,” Ryans said. “It’s fun being able to work both sides, being able to coach up and help the quarterbacks, help the offense, and also help the defenses just seeing it all come together. Just for me in this position, it’s a role of service, and I’m just in position to help out either side of the ball as much as I can.”
In the history of the Texans, there have been three full-time coaches who came from a defensive background: Dom Capers and Lovie Smith. Neither posted a winning record. Ryans hopes to be the first to do so, and no doubt it will take an overall commitment to both sides of the ball.
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