The news is official.
It was originally a coaching idea that was thought too good to be true for the lowly Houston Texans. The best coordinator in the NFL was ready to make the leap in his coaching career. The hottest name in the 2023 coaching cycle was coincidentally a former Texans All-Pro and Defensive Rookie of the Year.
The national media originally speculated Houston had been too disjointed to land a candidate of DeMeco Ryans caliber. The narrative that one year of David Culley and one year of Lovie Smith was too much to overcome quickly gave way to the bevy of draft capital that couldn’t help but be ignored. A late push that Ryans was very interested in the Denver Broncos job was quickly rebuffed within 24 hours by news of a mutual interest with the Texans.
The plan to re-energize Houston’s fan base and bring back winning football has seemed so laughably easy but also so impossible to trust.
1) Hire DeMeco Ryans
2) Draft a quarterbackTeam appears very well positioned to make that first huge leap. Excited for Monday. #WeAreTexans
— John Crumpler (@JohnHCrumpler) January 27, 2023
Today, it’s finally over.
Ryans has taken the position as the Texans’ sixth full-time coach in franchise history.
Ryans arrival marks a level of fanfare and excitement that has not been seen around Houston football since the team took an early lead in the playoffs over the Kansas City Chiefs on Jan. 12, 2020. Ryans is easily the highest valued arrival since the team was able to sign free agent safety Tyrann Mathieu in 2018.
Ryans brings a level of credibility that he’s one of the best defensive coaches in football today. He brings a level of respect in that he was one of the most sought after coaching candidates of the last few years. Finally, he brings a level of intimacy with Houston’s franchise that can only be earned by those that have worn the uniform.
Fans that once loved cheering for the decisive linebacker on the field will now look forward to the intense play he’s inspired from his players on the sideline.
Later today, DeMeco Ryans and the 49ers defense will look to advance to the NFC Championship Game.
Whether it's schematics, talent elevation or organizational ties, DeMeco Ryans has a great case as Houston's future Head Coach #WeAreTexanshttps://t.co/6t3doX4b99
— John Crumpler (@JohnHCrumpler) January 22, 2023
The hiring marks a turning point in both the Cal McNair ownership story and of the endeavors of general manager Nick Caserio. This is their first collective decision that nobody will hesitate to celebrate. This is their first coaching hire in three years that will not raise a single doubter from neutral onlookers. It is a home run in every since of the word.
Ryans arrival in Houston will spark instant optimism of the potential future success of players like Derek Stingley, Jalen Pitre, Jonathan Greenard and Christian Harris. His presence on the sideline will inspire hope that whatever spectacular play the Texans hope to find from their rookie quarterback in April will one day translate to winning football.
There are still many moves left to be made before that happens. Ryans will need to assemble a staff and he’ll need a great one to compete with the emerging powers in the AFC. He’ll likely need a great draft to even keep pace with the surging Jacksonville Jaguars and the momentum built by coach Doug Pederson and Trevor Lawrence.
Hope wins today, no matter the circumstance.
Houston football has desperately needed a spark over the last three seasons. They’ve won a combined 11 games in 50 contests, the worst mark in the NFL and have lost a majority of their support from a historic football city. Ryans arrival represents a chance to turn that tide.
McNair, Caserio, and the fans will have to wait and see how their hope is rewarded. They have every reason to feel optimistic.
