DeMeco Ryans is the head coach for the Houston Texans as of March 2025, the same team that drafted him as a player in 2006. Ryans' football career began at the University of Alabama as a linebacker. He earned the title of unanimous All-American. The Houston Texans recognized his talent and selected him in the second round of the 2006 NFL draft. As a player, Ryans won the Defensive Rookie of the Year award and was selected to two Pro Bowls during his time with the Texans. After a trade to the Philadelphia Eagles in 2012, Ryans played four more seasons before retiring.

Ryans began coaching with the San Francisco 49ers in 2017. He started as a defensive quality control coach. By 2021, he had become the team's defensive coordinator. In 2023, the Texans hired Ryans as their head coach. In his first season, he led the team to the playoffs.

DeMeco Ryans Personal Information

DeMeco Ryans' Early Life

DeMeco Ryans' football journey began in Bessemer, Alabama. He attended Jess Lanier High School. During his senior year, Ryans accumulated great performance thus, making 135 tackles, 11 sacks, two fumble causes and two interceptions. Rivals rated Ryans as a three-star recruit. His high school scouting service rated him as 39th on the list of the best inside linebacker prospects in the nation for the 2002 class. Ryans selected the Alabama Crimson Tide for college.

DeMeco Ryans' Contract and Salary

DeMeco Ryans' signed a six-year contract worth $28 million, as reported by ESPN's NFL insider Adam Schefter. This agreement translates to an average annual salary of $4.6 million for Ryans.

DeMeco Ryans's Coaching Career

San Francisco 49ers (2017-2022)

DeMeco Ryans began his coaching journey with the San Francisco 49ers in 2017.

Defensive Quality Control Coach (2017): Ryans started as a defensive quality control coach

Inside Linebackers Coach (2018-2020): In 2018, Ryans was promoted to inside linebackers coach.

Defensive Coordinator (2021-2022): Ryans' was named defensive coordinator. Under his leadership, the 49ers' defense became one of the NFL's elite units. In 2022, they ranked first in total defense by DVOA. He earned the PFWA Assistant Coach of the Year award for the 2022 season.

Houston Texans (2023-Present)

On January 31, 2023, Ryans became the head coach of the Houston Texans. Notable achievements in his first season include:

Team Turnaround: Despite a 0-2 start, Ryans led the Texans to a 10-7 record and an AFC South division title.

Playoff Success: In his debut season as head coach, Ryans guided the Texans to their first playoff victory since 2019, defeating the Cleveland Browns 45-14 in the Wild Card Round.

DeMeco Ryans' Playing Career

DeMeco Ryans enjoyed a successful 10-year playing career in the NFL, making his mark with two teams:

Houston Texans (2006 - 2011)

DeMeco Ryans' NFL journey began in 2006 when the Houston Texans selected him with the 33rd overall pick in the draft. This made him the highest-drafted Alabama linebacker since Dwayne Rudd in 1997. Ryans, in his first NFL game, recorded a league-high 12 solo tackles against the Philadelphia Eagles. In his rookie season, he led the Texans in tackles during the first half of the 2006 season. A standout performance in Week 13 against the Oakland Raiders earned him AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors. In that game, Ryans had 15 tackles, three pass deflections, a sack, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, and an interception.

His rookie year culminated in being named the AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. Ryans finished second in the league with 155 total tackles, 31 more than the next closest rookie. This performance also earned him a spot on the NFL All-Rookie Team.

Ryans was named a first-team All-Pro linebacker in 2007 and earned Pro Bowl selections in 2007 and 2009. This led to a six-year contract extension with the Texans in 2010, worth $48 million with $21.75 million guaranteed.

Philadelphia Eagles (2012 - 2016)

In 2012, Ryans' was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles. Ryans became their starting middle linebacker. The 2013 season saw Ryans lead the Eagles in tackles with 127, while also setting career highs in sacks (4.0) and interceptions (2). His postseason performance included recording 10 tackles and his first playoff interception in a loss to the New Orleans Saints.

However, Ryans faced a setback in November 2014 when he tore his Achilles tendon, resulting in his placement on injured reserve. Ryans' time with the Eagles came to an end on February 24, 2016, when he was released by the team. This release marked the end of his playing career.

DeMeco Ryans' Family

Houston Texans’ DeMeco Ryans is married to Jamila White Ryans. The couple met while Ryans’ was still playing for the Houston Texans football team. They were on 29th June 2013 in Pearland, Texas as per Yahoo.

Jamila is a registered nurse and works as a director of the DeMeco Ryans Foundation. They are parents to four children: MJ and Micah, two sons and Xia and Zuri, two daughters as per reports.