DeMeco Ryans’ introduction as the Houston Texans coach brought him back to his early days as a 49ers assistant, and, specifically, to his mentorship of linebacker Fred Warner.
That coach-player relationship molded both into the elite of their profession. After all, Ryans went from a 10-year NFL linebacker to an entry-level coach, to becoming a head coach after just two seasons as the 49ers’ defensive coordinator. Warner morphed from a 2018 third-round draft pick into a two-time All-Pro making almost $19 million annually.
Here is how Ryans, in a press conference streamed on the Texans’ website, referenced Warner to depict his ideal coaching method:
