The NFC championship game was DeMeco Ryans’ last as the 49ers’ defensive coordinator. ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Tuesday was the first to report Houston and Ryans agreed on a six-year deal that made Ryans the team’s next head coach.
Houston has had trouble hanging onto coaches in recent history. Their last two head coaches, David Culley and Lovie Smith, were both fired after one season. Ryans appears to have locked up at least some long-term stability with his six-year contract.
Buy 49ers TicketsRyans’ rise in the coaching ranks was swift. He joined the 49ers’ staff in 2017 as a quality control coach before being elevated to the linebackers coach job. He took over as the defensive coordinator in 2021 and put together a pair of dominant defenses that led the 49ers to the NFC championship in both years.
The Texans are a familiar organization for Ryans. He was selected by Houston No. 33 overall out of Alabama in the 2006 draft. Ryans spent the first six seasons of his 10-year career with the Texans. In Houston he was the Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2006, a Second-Team All-Pro in 2007, and a Pro Bowler in 2007 and 2009.
The 49ers will receiver a compensatory third-round pick for Ryans getting hired as a head coach. That will convey in 2025.
In two years with Ryans as their defensive coordinator, the 49ers finished in the top 10 in points and yards. Last season they were No. 9 in points allowed and No. 3 in yards allowed. This year they were No. 1 in both categories.
