
On Tuesday, the Houston Texans officially agreed to terms to hire 49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans as the organizations new head coach.
The two sides reportedly inked a six-year contract that will in theory allow Ryans some flexibility to build his culture and put together a competent roster. But some history was also made with Ryans’ hire.
Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Texans became the first team in NFL history to hire three straight Black coaches; as Ryans follows up Lovie Smith and David Culley.
After his initial interview on Jan. 20 Ryans met with his former team again on Tuesday, agreeing to a deal four hours later.
The leader of the NFL’s No. 1 defense in 2022, Ryans is also an ex-Texans standout where he starred at middle linebacker during some of Houston’s more successful years.
The Texans had the league’s worst rushing defense this past season, something Ryans will be tasked with fixing as he attempts to lift this franchise back into competitiveness in the AFC South.