It’s not often you get to bring former players — who turned themselves into dynamite defensive coordinators — back into the fold if you’re an NFL team. But that’s exactly what the Houston Texans have done with DeMeco Ryans.
On Tuesday, Houston made the hire of Ryans as their new head coach official. For the Texans and Ryans, it’s undoubtedly a dream connection to have a former Defensive Rookie of the Year (2006) and two-time Pro Bowl (2007, 200) linebacker as your primary sideline leader.
One of Ryans’ old Texans teammates, J.J. Watt — who played with Houston’s new head coach during his rookie season in 2011 — embodied the joy many people around the organization must be feeling. (This after happily teasing that his pal had gotten the job a day earlier.)
Once the hire of Ryans was stamped and delivered, Watt had a thoroughly wholesome Twitter message celebrating the success of his past teammate.
(NSFW language in the tweet below.)
LET’S GOOOOOOO!!!!!!
You want to reenergize and reignite the incredible Houston fan base, this is a hell of a start!!
Cannot wait to see what Meco does.
One of the best teammates & leaders I’ve ever been around. #HTown
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) January 31, 2023
In terms of ringing endorsements to be a head coach, it probably doesn’t get much better than having the blessing of a three-time Defensive Player of the Year and future Hall of Famer like Watt.
Ryans is liable to crush it either way in Houston. He is, quite literally, that good of a football mind. But knowing Watt feels this way makes it seem utterly inevitable he’ll turn the Texans into an intimidating force.